Today (21/10) marks exactly one year since DAOE was established with the clear purpose of holistic and coordinated combat against organized and transnational crime.
During the event, DAOE’s operational results were presented in the presence of Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis, the General Secretaries of Public Order and Anti-Crime Policy, the Chief of Hellenic Police, senior officers, and DAOE personnel.
The minister, who “envisioned” the creation of the “Greek FBI,” congratulated the unit on its significant achievements, noting that the service’s effective operation rests on two important foundations.
The legislation for the Greek FBI
The first is the legislation: “the fundamental law upon which this service was founded and operates, which I believe is unique, in the sense that its provisions cover the entire spectrum of activities, based on laws and the Constitution, providing a first healthy, stable, deep foundation for the service’s operation.”
The second characteristic, he added, is the personnel itself—the worthy and capable officers who staff DAOE. He called on them to remain vigilant and alert while improving their operational effectiveness, noting that “the second year will be more challenging in the sense that we literally made an ‘invasion’ into an area that was generally virgin territory. Our opponents know very well that we are here and we are strong, so they will take more precautions, which means we must become more penetrating and effective.”
Finally, he added that the service will be further strengthened with both personnel and technological tools to achieve even better results, while emphasizing the necessity of DAOE’s meritocratic operation. “The issue of meritocracy and proper evaluation of everyone, and the matter of more symbolic, correct, and merit-based administration operation is crucial to protect all those capable people who are determined to work and produce results,” he said characteristically.
“DAOE’s establishment was a decisive move”
For his part, Hellenic Police Chief Lieutenant General Dimitrios Mallios emphasized that “DAOE’s creation was a decisive response to the security challenges and issues the country faced in recent years,” while noting that the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime now faces the challenge of maintaining its position at the top.
“I am confident that all personnel, all of you, the heads, the sub-directorate directors, the officers, are doing your best to keep this service at the spearhead. We, as leadership, will do everything possible to support you, like every service of the Corps, each unique and useful in our effort to change the narrative and show that the Hellenic Police can be dynamic, effective, deliver proper results, and offer the services that society and citizens expect from us,” he concluded.
At the event’s opening, DAOE Commander Major General Fotios Douitsis emphasized that DAOE’s establishment represented a new operational action model, designed to combat organized crime methodically, coordinately, and in depth.
“The Directorate for Combating Organized Crime is, and will remain, a pillar of security and trust for citizens, guardian of democratic values and the rule of law,” he said, characterizing the day as “an opportunity to remember why we started and renew our commitment for tomorrow—more dynamically and more targeted.” Referring to the service’s mission, he emphasized that DAOE will continue even more dynamically and decisively to fulfill its mission, serving society and the homeland.
Greek FBI: Results and findings after one year of operation
The DAOE leader then presented detailed results from the service’s first year of operation, emphasizing that these achievements are primarily due to the ethics and professionalism demonstrated by all personnel, who worked with consistency, conscientiousness, and team spirit.
Concluding his speech, he noted that DAOE will continue to evolve, utilize knowledge and experience, invest in technology and cooperation, consistently serving the duty for a safe Greece.
Notably, during this one year of operation, DAOE handled 719 cases. 139 criminal organizations and groups were dismantled, while cases were filed against 2,540 perpetrators, of whom 1,792 were arrested and approximately 600 were remanded in custody. Drug trafficking is recorded as the main activity of criminal organizations, followed by property crimes and fraud.
Additionally, large quantities of weapons, drugs, steroids, chemical solvents, contraband fuel, tobacco, alcohol, as well as ancient artifacts and artworks were seized.
Detailed findings and seizures from DAOE operations:
· €6,100,358.62 in cash
· 592 firearms
· 55 hunting weapons
· 55,901 cartridges
· 21,117 bullets and flares
· 253 melee weapons (swords, bayonets, knives)
· 884 gold sovereigns
· 499 vehicles
· 1,248 mobile phone devices and 803 computers
· 755 jewelry items (gold items, pendants, rings, etc.)
· 28,271,700 contraband cigarettes and 161,302 cigars
· Over 25,444 kg of contraband tobacco
· 1,944 kg and 863 g of cocaine
· 116 kg and 495 g of heroin
· 3,618 kg and 518 g of raw cannabis
· 568 kg and 154 g of processed cannabis
· 9,153 cannabis plants
· Over 37,740 narcotic pills (Captagon, LSD, Ecstasy)
· 57 kg 618 g of MDMA
· 32 kg and 580 g of methamphetamine
· 319 kg of unknown narcotic substances and 11,696 pills of unknown narcotic substances
· Over 207,532 liters of illegal alcohol (spirits and distillates) and 452,796 bottles
· Over 56,053 liters of adulterated oils
· Over 154,037 liters of marine fuel
· 128,490 chemical solvent mixture and 3,500 liters of motor fuel
· 6,963 cultural goods (ancient artifacts, statues, numismatic items, paintings)
· Over 181,503 counterfeit products and 70 liters of aromatic substances
· 165 kg and 376 g of steroids and pharmaceuticals
· 3,994,567 steroid pills
· 166 liters of agricultural chemicals and 7 kg of agricultural chemicals.
