Cocaine ring involving Greek dockworkers was dismantled

The investigation reached its climax early Monday morning when two of the seven dockworkers under surveillance were caught retrieving bags of cocaine from a shipping container that had just arrived at the port of Piraeus from Ecuador.

€200,000 Per Container

Authorities discovered that the drug route began in a port in Ecuador, where a similar network of workers allegedly operated to conceal cocaine in containers bound for Greece. Once the shipments reached Greek shores, the seven dockworkers used their inside access to extract the drugs. In return for their role, they were paid €200,000 per container.

The Bust and the Getaway Attempt

The latest shipment proved to be the key moment authorities had been waiting for. Two dockworkers arrived on motorcycles and retrieved the cocaine from the designated container. They quickly transferred the bags into a luxury Porsche SUV, where an accomplice was waiting inside.

As the suspects attempted to flee, police intervened. The Porsche, which was registered to one of the dockworkers, was frequently used to transport the drugs, blending in with regular port activity.

A Familiar Mastermind

The alleged leader of the operation is a 35-year-old Greek man known to law enforcement for previous drug offenses. He is believed to have built a network of connections with Albanian traffickers—some of whom may already be operating inside Greece.

Inside Help and Tight Coordination

The operation within the port was highly organized. Each dockworker had a specific role: one handled surveillance cameras to obscure their movements, another coordinated shifts to ensure the group could act simultaneously. Their communication was deliberately low-tech—always in person and never over the phone—to avoid detection.

Authorities continue to investigate the network, with arrest warrants issued for several Albanian suspects who remain at large. Investigators are now examining whether the group was involved in additional smuggling operations or if other drug-laden containers passed through the port undetected.