New revelations have surfaced about a criminal gang arrested in Crete and northern Greece that was smuggling thousands of rounds of ammunition from Albania. A central figure in the operation is a 65-year-old man known to authorities for his previous involvement in arms trafficking. According to law enforcement, he aimed to flood the island’s market with bullets ahead of wedding season, where celebratory gunfire — often referred to as ‘balothies’ — is a longstanding tradition among locals.
The organized crime group primarily operated in Crete and northern Greece, and was dismantled following a coordinated police operation in Chania and Kastoria. The gang’s main objective was to import and distribute large quantities of bullets, both for other criminal groups and for weddings, where celebratory gunfire is customary.
During the operation, approximately 25,000 rounds were seized — all of which, according to investigators, had been smuggled illegally from Albania.
This 65-year-old suspect, now considered the gang leader, was previously arrested in 2019 for smuggling thousands of rounds hidden inside a truck’s secret compartment. At the time, police discovered not only hundreds of fireworks but also four Kalashnikovs and more than 120,000 rounds of ammunition.
According to the Hellenic Police, the suspect had traveled multiple times to Albania to meet directly with suppliers. He reportedly left his personal phone at home while traveling outside Crete to avoid tracking and allegedly crossed into Albania on foot to bypass border checkpoints.
In December 2018, just months before his arrest, he was believed to have canceled a major weapons delivery at the last minute, suspecting he was under surveillance.
Despite his claims that he imported 122,000 bullets solely for target practice with friends in the mountains, authorities remain skeptical.
The four individuals arrested during the recent operation, along with one more suspect, are scheduled to give their statements on Thursday, July 3.