“I’m a parking lot that sells drugs.” This phrase was reportedly uttered by a man in conversation, as part of the revealing dialogues that have come to light between members of the notorious Crete mafia according to a report by OPEN. Two surprise figures are included, according to information, in the case file for the criminal organization in Chania. As Creta24 reveals, the disclosure of these two specific individuals will cause, say officers who handled the case file, an “earthquake” in Chania society.
Crete mafia: The two “surprise” figures
One of the two individuals is considered, according to the case file, as directly involved in extortion cases as well as in the case involving 175 acres above the famous beach at Stavros Chania. A case for which there has been an appeal from the Holy Monastery of Agia Triada, with a decision by the Holy Provincial Synod of the Church of Crete. The second person holds a very high position in the administration of a public entity in Chania. The same sources report that this specific individual had frequent communications with the protagonists of this case, providing facilities sometimes with specific exchanges.
These two individuals were not arrested during the major operation that took place on Sunday, but they are included, sources say, in the case file and when it is submitted to the prosecutor, charges are expected to be filed against them.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, congratulated the Hellenic Police and the Crete subdivision for dismantling the criminal organization.
“I want to congratulate the local police directorate, the men and women of this service who dismantled a numerous and dangerous criminal organization which allegedly committed serious crimes against society. This success demonstrates the professionalism, capability and dedication of these police officers to their duty and their ability to penetrate large criminal organizations in order to dismantle them. For us, combating organized crime is a strategic priority as well as a basic prerequisite for citizen safety and the proper functioning of our democratic state and society,” he said.
The connections with politician and the contact they sought with the White House for church properties
Pistols, carbines, Kalashnikovs, hundreds of 50 and 100 euro banknotes are just some of the findings by police in the homes of the 49 arrested for participation in the labyrinthine network. The masterminds of the gang, two brothers from Chania, had structured the group in such a way that they had “contacts” across a wide range of state services: Hellenic Police, financial services, even in the Church of Crete, where they had actually “invested” considerably, hoping they would manage to acquire hundreds of coastal acres through their own high-ranking cleric, whom they were promoting in various ways.
The gang’s connections with the US and the attempt to “get their hands on” the prime church properties of Crete
Indeed, according to journalistic sources, the gang had approached a well-known political figure on the island who has good relations with the Greek diaspora and access to Greek-American congressmen, in an attempt to pressure the American government to “impose” the appointment of a specific person to the leadership of the Church of Crete. This person would give them the coveted access to the prime properties. The gang operated feeling they were untouchable. That no one could touch them. Characteristic is the incident where they placed a bomb at the home of a Drug Enforcement officer in Chania after the arrest of a gang member for cocaine possession. The act of revenge and intimidation combined was a result of this superiority the gang members felt. However, this action of theirs was the catalyst for their dismantling.
The operation to dismantle the gang
The gang operated in several sectors, while having a specific method for legitimizing illegal proceeds. Their full activity was identified not only through phone or physical surveillance, but from within. Two police officers from Athens posed as waiters who went to the island for the season and managed to get hired at one of the gang’s “collaborating” restaurants. Through the acquaintances they made in a very short time, they managed to gain access to the inner workings of the organization, mapping people, movements, incidents of interest. The existence of the two officers was known exclusively only to a small group of Crete police officers and the supreme leadership of the Hellenic Police. The accused… talked quite a bit, since they believed nothing could touch them. This behavior of theirs was the reason the network was dismantled in such a short period of time.
The accused were brought yesterday, Monday, late in the afternoon to the prosecutor, where they requested and received time to testify, gradually on Thursday and Friday, to the Chania investigator. The charges attributed to them are of a felony nature and today official announcements are expected from the Hellenic Police with details about the gang’s activities.
