4 Israelis nabbed in Greece as part of major drug bust
Four non-Israelis also apprehended; 150kg of MDMA, ketamine, cannabis seized from suspects who were allegedly part of a drug ring smuggling illicit substances to Israel by sea
Four Israelis have been arrested in Greece on suspicion of smuggling drugs from Europe to Israel by sea, the Israel Police announced on Tuesday.
Greek police said on Wednesday that about 130 kg (287 lb) of the psychedelic drug MDMA, ketamine and cannabis were confiscated in the raid. The illegal profits of the criminal ring were estimated at 2.5 million euros ($2.76 million).
A Greek police official also said that a 44-year-old Israeli man detained was believed to be the leader of the gang.
The Israeli police statement said the four Israelis, all in their 30s and 40s, were arrested early Tuesday. Four non-Israeli suspects were also arrested in connection to the case.
Police found evidence that the drugs supplied from European countries, potentially from the Netherlands and Germany, were hidden in trailers that traveled through Bulgaria to Greece. They were later loaded on yachts destined for Israel.
The investigation was conducted by the Israel Police in collaboration with Greek police.
On Monday, meanwhile, the police and the Israel Tax Authority said in a statement that they had foiled three attempts over the weekend to smuggle drugs into the country via the Wadi Araba Crossing.
The suspects in all three cases were Israeli citizens.
