Police have arrested 12 suspects, half of them minors, after a video emerged showing a drug trafficking ring brutally hazing a teenager, exposing a violent network embedded in Attica’s schools.
The footage, aired by state broadcaster ERT, captures alleged gang leaders forcing a young recruit to kneel while striking him and coercing him to smoke. Investigators say the group systematically exploited vulnerable teenagers, using them as low-level couriers to distribute narcotics in and around school zones.
Authorities described the case as one of the most significant involving minors in recent years. The Hellenic Police (ELAS) confirmed that the 12 arrests include the ring's alleged leader and deputy.
The investigation revealed a rigid hierarchy enforced through terror. beyond the video, police recovered audio recordings of senior members screaming at young couriers and threatening physical harm for missed deadlines or short payments.
Police sources said the coercion was designed to trap the minors in the network through fear of retaliation.
The revelations have ignited a fierce debate over student safety.
Opposition parties Syriza and Pasok urged the government to implement a comprehensive strategy to combat youth recruitment, arguing that economic pressure and a lack of support systems are leaving students vulnerable.
Police are currently analyzing seized digital devices to determine if the cell has ties to larger organized crime syndicates.