A 45-year-old man accused of acting as a mule for a transnational drug ring was arrested at Athens International Airport after customs officers discovered nearly 33 kilograms of high-potency cannabis concealed in his luggage.
The suspect, a foreign national whose identity was not released, was detained Wednesday afternoon by the Organized Crime Directorate’s Anti-Narcotics unit.
He had just arrived on a flight from Thailand, a route increasingly flagged by European authorities for illicit narcotics traffic.
Acting on intelligence and behavioral profiling, officers intercepted the man in the arrivals hall.
A search of his suitcases revealed 31 vacuum-sealed nylon packages containing a total of 32.6 kilograms (72 pounds) of unprocessed hydroponic cannabis, commonly known as "skunk."
Police seized the drugs and the suspect’s mobile phone, which investigators hope will yield leads on the broader distribution network operating within Greece.
The arrest highlights a shifting trend in smuggling dynamics, with organized crime groups increasingly utilizing commercial air travel to move premium-grade cannabis into Southern Europe.
The suspect faces felony drug trafficking charges and has been referred to the public prosecutor.