Greek Coast Guard officers have arrested a 32-year-old Swedish national after seizing more than 7.5 kilograms of cocaine and cannabis in two international shipments at Athens International Airport, with an estimated street value exceeding €380,000.
The operation uncovered 2.235 kilograms of cocaine shipped from Brazil and 5.317 kilograms of hydroponically grown cannabis, known as skunk, sent from the United States. Authorities suspect an international drug trafficking network and continue investigating its overseas connections.According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the operation began on 6 October 2026, when officers from the Regional Narcotics Enforcement Team of the Patras Central Port Authority acted on intelligence and inspected a suspicious wooden crate in a storage facility at Athens International Airport.The officers worked with the Coast Guard Headquarters’ Narcotics and Smuggling Directorate and customs officials from the Eastern Attica Customs Office.With assistance from MEZKAL, a specially trained drug detection dog, investigators discovered four plastic packages containing cocaine, with a total gross weight of 2 kilograms and 235 grams. The smugglers had concealed the drugs in a specially constructed compartment beneath the crate’s wooden floor.Controlled Delivery Leads to Arrest
Following approval from the Athens Appeals Prosecutor, authorities arranged a controlled delivery of the shipment to identify its intended recipient.The operation led to the arrest of the 32-year-old Swedish man in the Attica region on 14 October.Second Shipment Contained More Than Five Kilograms of Cannabis
On the same day, as the investigation continued under the supervision of the competent Athens Criminal Prosecution Prosecutor, Coast Guard officers discovered a second suspicious crate in the airport’s storage facilities.The shipment had originated in the United States, and investigators identified the same Swedish man as its intended recipient.MEZKAL helped officers locate 10 airtight plastic packages containing 5 kilograms and 317 grams of raw hydroponically grown cannabis, commonly known as skunk.Authorities seized a total of 2.235 kilograms of cocaine, 5.317 kilograms of cannabis and one mobile phone from the two shipments.Investigators estimate that the drugs could have generated more than €380,000 on the illegal market.The Regional Narcotics Enforcement Team of the Patras Central Port Authority is conducting the preliminary investigation. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard’s Narcotics and Smuggling Directorate is cooperating with law enforcement authorities in Brazil and the United States to establish the network’s international connections.Shipping Minister Praises Coast Guard Operation
Shipping and Island Policy Minister Vassilis Kikilias praised the operation in a post on X while visiting Japan to strengthen bilateral cooperation.“While in Japan to strengthen cooperation between our two countries, I learned with pride of another major success by our Coast Guard,” Kikilias wrote.
He congratulated Coast Guard personnel for their work in tackling organised crime and drug trafficking, highlighting their responsibility towards society and younger generations.“Congratulations to the men and women of the Coast Guard who work day and night with a sense of responsibility towards society, particularly the younger generation. The results speak for themselves,” he said.Kikilias concluded: “We continue. Zero tolerance for drugs and organised crime.”
Kosta Papadopoulos
Kosta Papadopoulos is an editor at Greek City Times, covering Greek and international news, travel, sport, and entertainment.