A large-scale organized crime ring involving cigarette smuggling, extortion, and murder-for-hire contracts has been dismantled by Greek authorities following simultaneous raids on Thursday in Athens, Thessaloniki, Halkida and other locations. Over 40 individuals, primarily involved in the production and trafficking of illegal cigarettes, were arrested.
The ring, led by a Greek expatriate who is currently on the run and believed to be in Dubai, has been implicated in several murders related to the control of the illicit cigarette trade. The victims include prominent figures in the underworld, such as Giannis Skaftouros, Vasilis Roumpetis and Dionysis Mouzakitis. The killings were allegedly motivated by a bid to dominate the illegal tobacco market.
In January 2024, another high-profile figure, Evangelos Zambounis, was assassinated in a hit outside his gas station in Neos Kosmos. Authorities suspect the same criminal group was responsible for his death, along with the previous murders. The motive behind the killings appears to be competition over the expansion of illegal cigarette trafficking.
The investigation led to the discovery of two large factories and several warehouses where the smuggled cigarettes were processed and stored before being sold on the black market. In addition to cigarette trafficking, the gang is also accused of extorting rival businessmen in the tobacco industry.
The Hellenic Police’s Organized Crime Division has formed two separate charges: one for establishing a criminal organization involved in cigarette production, and the other for extortion and threats against businesses competing with the gang. Two main suspects, believed to operate out of Athens and Thessaloniki, have been linked to the fugitive leader in Dubai.
Authorities have also seized €100,000 in cash, and investigations into the financial operations of the group continue. Some reports suggest that part of the gang’s illicit earnings may have been laundered through real estate deals on Crete.
All suspects are expected to appear before a prosecutor on Friday.