Three priests are treated as key members drug trafficking spiral dismantled by EL.AS., with two being arrested in a Drug Enforcement Administration operation and a third already incarcerated in Komotini prisons for a case of trafficking in illegal immigrants. In total they were carried out eight arrestsby the Narcotics Prosecution Sub-Directorate of the Organized Crime Directorate.
The accusations
The two arrested priests are accused of criminal organizationviolations of the legislation on addictive substances and, as the case may be, for offenses involving entry/residence of third country nationals and him Immigration Code.
Structure and roles of the organization
According to the preliminary investigation, the organization operated with two operational arms.
In the first arm, which is estimated to have acted at least last quarter, chief it is alleged to be 52-year-old Greek womanwith members one 42 year old Albanian and the three priests. Their action focused on procurement, storage, adulteration and traffic cocaine and raw cannabis.
-
The 52-year-old, as responsible mindallegedly organizing the “wine glasses» (safe hiding places) and to was recruiting new members. At the same time, he allegedly gave instructions related to trafficking of irregular migrants.
-
The 42-year-old Albanian is described as the right hand of the leader and connecting link with the second arm.
-
The two priests arrested are reported as carriers and responsible for storage and further processing quantities.
Apocalyptic dialogues – The temple, the “fanuropites” and the rasophores circuit
Conversations recorded by officers from the Organized Crime Branch’s Narcotics Branch reveal how members of the ring communicated and coordinated drug deliveries, using code words and roles.
The alleged ringleader, a 52-year-old woman who trafficked cocaine and hashish in Athens and Rhodes, initially talks to the priest who is already in custody in Komotini prisons for another case – the transportation of irregular migrants. Then he calls the second priestwho operated the church on Liosion Street and, according to the indictment, used to leave the church in a rasa to make “deliveries” to the customers of the circuit.
Priest 1: There you go.
52 years old: Where was Jimis yesterday?
Priest 1: In the narrow way.
52 years old: There you will see a car.
Priest 1: Yes.
52 years old: The old man wants you a little. Go now. Yes.
Priest 1: Yes.
(The first priest hands the phone to the second, with whom the 52-year-old continues the conversation.)
Priest 2: Come.
52 years old: Come. I’ll be there in 20 minutes.
Priest 2: L went…
52 years old: I know it well.
Priest 2: Aaah…
52 years old: I lost my cell phone.
Priest 2: Ok. Where did you leave it?
52 years old: And I found it. Fortunately, five little ones found it and picked it up. If possible.
Priest 2: Don’t lose the card.
A little later, the second priest comes out of the temple and approaches one BMW brand carwhere a customer is waiting for him. There he delivers the narcotics and informs the leader that the “job” is complete.