Police Dismantle Livestock Fraud and Drug Trafficking Gang

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Police in Crete have arrested 10 people, including eight Greek nationals and two foreign nationals, following a months-long investigation into a criminal group allegedly involved in livestock subsidy fraud, drug trafficking and a range of other offences.

The Rethymno Narcotics Prosecution Department, which led the investigation, said officers gathered and analysed evidence linking the suspects to an alleged criminal organisation that defrauded the livestock subsidy system and trafficked drugs.

According to police, members of the group used proceeds from their alleged criminal activities to purchase movable and immovable property.

Police launched a large-scale operation on the morning of Saturday, September 19, 2026, with officers from the Rethymno Narcotics Prosecution Department supported by units from the Mylopotamos and Rethymno Police Operations Departments, the Cretan Special Counter-Terrorist Unit and Crime Prevention and Suppression Groups from Rethymno and Heraklion.

Officers carried out searches, in accordance with legal procedures, at homes, livestock facilities and other premises used by the Greek suspects in areas of the Mylopotamos Municipality.

During the searches, officers discovered a cannabis plantation in a specially arranged area near a livestock facility. A natural barrier enclosed the site, where 11 cannabis plants, measuring up to three metres in height, were being carefully cultivated.

Police also found two foreign nationals at the site. Officers allegedly found cannabis in their possession and determined that they were residing in Greece illegally.

Cannabis, cash and vehicles seized

Police said they seized:

• 995 grams of cannabis
• €1,850 in cash, allegedly derived from criminal activity
• Three knives
• Two scales
• Numerous invoices and other documents
• Eight mobile phones
• Seven commercial vehicles
• One passenger vehicle
• One piece of construction machinery

Investigation uncovers livestock discrepancies

During inspections of the suspects’ livestock facilities, authorities recorded violations of the police regulation concerning livestock theft, including an inability to gather and present entire herds.

Where officers could complete a livestock count, they found fewer sheep and goats than the numbers declared in livestock subsidy applications.

The investigation also found that, during an inspection by the competent authorities on July 30, 2026, one member of the alleged organisation did not own a herd but allegedly presented sheep and goats that had been moved from a herd belonging to another member of the group.

Police said the suspects used the animals to falsely represent livestock ownership during the inspection.

Suspects linked to property damage and theft

Investigators also identified members of the alleged organisation in connection with damage to olive trees and construction machinery belonging to a Greek national.

Police also linked members of the group to the theft of construction machinery belonging to another Greek national.

The alleged property damage occurred in June 2026, while the machinery theft took place on September 13, 2026, according to police.

The Rethymno Narcotics Prosecution Department continues the preliminary investigation.

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