Greek police have dismantled an organised criminal group in Crete accused of orchestrating livestock thefts, extortion and a long-running scheme to fraudulently obtain European Union agricultural subsidies.
The operation, led by the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (DAOE), took place on Monday, July 27, across several locations in Crete. Officers from the Special Counter-Terrorist Unit (TEKAM) of Crete, the Crime Prevention and Suppression Unit (OPKE) of Heraklion Police, and Rapid Intervention Units (TAE) from Heraklion and Lasithi participated in the coordinated raids.
Authorities arrested eight people, including four alleged members of the criminal organisation. The suspected core members are aged 47, 34, 30 and 19. Police also arrested three men aged 69, 49 and 45, along with a 36-year-old woman, on separate offences uncovered during the investigation, including electricity theft, weapons offences, false declarations, livestock theft, animal cruelty and animal welfare violations.
Police said the 34-year-old also resisted arrest and allegedly assaulted officers before they restrained him.
Sophisticated livestock theft operation
Following a months-long investigation, police concluded that the organisation developed a systematic method for stealing livestock while taking extensive measures to avoid detection.
Investigators said members selected target flocks after gathering intelligence on farm locations, security measures and owners’ routines. They then conducted surveillance before stealing the animals either on foot or by vehicle, transporting them to secure locations before selling them to third parties or incorporating them into their own herds.
According to police, the operation concluded with the slaughter of the stolen sheep and goats before the meat entered the commercial market.
Authorities identified the 47-year-old suspect as the group’s leader, responsible for planning operations, selecting targets, coordinating members and arranging the sale or distribution of stolen livestock. Police also allege a 69-year-old suspect assisted during various stages of the criminal activities.
Investigators have so far linked the organisation to four aggravated livestock thefts and one attempted theft between February and June 2026. They allege the group stole at least 182 sheep and goats, along with a milking machine, causing estimated losses of €43,000.
Decade of intimidation and extortion
Police also allege that the 47-year-old and the 19-year-old maintained a climate of fear in their local community for at least a decade through violence, threats and other criminal acts.
Investigators claim they illegally occupied farmland owned by others, allowing their livestock to graze without permission or cultivating crops on the land without paying compensation.
Authorities estimate the resulting damage to trees and agricultural crops exceeded €120,000.
Police allege the suspects financially benefited by expanding their farming operations, illegally acquiring land, growing feed for their livestock, increasing herd sizes to secure larger government subsidies, reducing feed costs and involving younger family members in the ongoing criminal activities.
€341,000 in alleged EU subsidy fraud
The investigation also uncovered alleged fraud involving European Union agricultural funding.
Police accuse the 47-year-old, the 34-year-old, the other arrested non-members and a 40-year-old woman of submitting false livestock declarations between 2019 and 2025.
According to investigators, the suspects falsely declared grazing land, livestock facilities and herd numbers to satisfy subsidy requirements. Authorities allege they unlawfully received €341,250.88 in EU agricultural assistance.
In one example, police said a suspect declared ownership of 460 sheep and goats in 2025 despite having no livestock. Inspections of five separate herds also revealed discrepancies between declared and actual animal numbers, missing identification ear tags and the absence of required registration signage.
Animal welfare and weapons offences
Police identified animal welfare breaches at three properties and found evidence of passive abuse involving 12 dogs, resulting in administrative fines.
Searches of homes uncovered a shotgun, a semi-automatic pistol, 41 rounds of ammunition, two knives and 21 livestock ear tags bearing different registered livestock owner identification codes.
Authorities also executed two outstanding electricity disconnection orders issued by the national electricity distribution operator.
Forestry officer also under investigation
The investigation has also implicated a forestry officer, who faces allegations of breach of duty after allegedly warning suspects that victims intended to file criminal complaints against them.
Police noted that several of the accused have previously faced criminal proceedings involving livestock theft and related offences. One suspect has also previously faced charges including attempted murder and property damage and had been subject to judicial restrictions.
All suspects have appeared before the competent public prosecutor, while forensic examinations continue on the seized evidence.