Four people were arrested for trafficking cannabis and cocaine in Agia Varvara and West Attica, with one accused in the murder of George Liggeridis.

A major police operation in West Attica has led to the dismantling of an organised drug trafficking circuit which was operating systematically in Agia Varvara and neighbouring areas, with ELAS making coordinated arrests after exploiting information and surveillance. The authorities have identified a network that allegedly trafficked quantities of cannabis and cocaine through a “cavaca” apartment, while in the context of the same case under the microscope of investigations is a person with a heavy criminal past, who had been employed by the authorities and for the murder case of Giorgos Liggeridis. The operation evolved simultaneously in Korydallos and Agia Varvara, revealing the group’s structure and methodology of action.

A 30-year-old man from Albania who was charged in the case of the manslaughter of police officer Giorgos Liggeridis on December 7, 2023 in Renti, is among the four arrested of a gang that trafficked cannabis and boiled cocaine in Agia Varvara and other areas of West Attica.

The operation

The drug trafficker is known for rape, theft, insubordination, weapons violations, and six drug cases from 2014 to date.

Police officers have been building on information that the 30-year-old and his accomplices were trafficking drugs with the selling point being an apartment in the St. Barbara area. On Thursday afternoon, two of the accused were arrested in Korydallos for possessing packages containing quantities of raw cannabis and booze, which they had obtained shortly before from the 30-year-old and his 27-year-old second-in-command. This was followed by the arrests of the leader and deputy leader at the Agia Varvara apartment.

Besides the 30-year-old’s heavy criminal record, the 27-year-old was also charged with being part of a gang that committed robberies and illegal possession and carrying of weapons. A 34-year-old member of the gang had been arrested in 2011 as part of a criminal organization that transported raw cannabis from Greece, in trucks, to Western European countries. At the time, around 2 tonnes of raw cannabis were seized. He has also been charged with manslaughter with intent, robbery and multiple counts of theft.