Greek police bust gold smuggling ring

Among them is the well-known owner of the chain of pawnshops "Rihardos", Dimitris-Rihardos Milonas. According to information, Rihardos was arrested in his luxurious villa in Saronida, as he is involved in the trafficking of gold objects, while information has reported that in his home police found gold and other items that were destined for melting.

Rihardos became known for his store advertisements, in which he himself appears as a presenter and promises that his stores legally buy jewelry not just at gold prices.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time that Rihardos has interested the Authorities, as the well-known pawnbroker was arrested twice more. The first time was on July 14, 2014, after a police check was carried out at two stores owned by him, in which jewelery should, under private contracts, be kept for one month as collateral.

In the books there were jewelry registrations valued at 77,000 euros, but Richard refused to point to the men of EL.AS. the places where they were kept for control and were thus accused of smuggling and repeatedly, but also for breach of the clause on the obligations of silver payers, pullers, pawnshops.

His second involvement with EL.AS. was a year later, when he did not provide receipts to his two customers, worth more than 500 euros.

The ring

In essence, it is the dismantling of two giant gold smuggling rings that collected large quantities of precious metals from the country's pawnshops and then melted them and sold them at overseas markets.

Authorities found to their tracks by investigating the actions of the Roma gang, and in particular their burglars. The research fell on these two rings.

Then they were instructed to monitor the perpetrators phones and managed to map the two rings.

Those arrested are expected to be brought to the prosecutor's office and are likely to be faced with the charges of joining and participating in a criminal organization and of malicious trafficking.

The mobilization of the Security Division of Northeast Attica, as well as several police services, including men of riot police units, were used to take down the ring.