In a surprising turn of events, a police officer in northwestern Greece was arrested on drugs charges after allegedly using his service car to smuggle a significant amount of marijuana. The arrest took place in the port town of Igoumenitsa, where the officer was apprehended following a road chase. An Albanian man was also found in the unmarked police vehicle at the time of the arrest.
During a search of the vehicle, authorities discovered a staggering 102 kilograms (225 pounds) of marijuana, highlighting the extent of the alleged smuggling operation. The detained officer reportedly attempted to evade capture by ignoring orders to stop for a search and speeding away. The pursuit only came to an end when the officer lost control of the vehicle and collided with parked cars.
Further complicating the situation, a second officer who had been on patrol duty with the suspect was also arrested. This officer was located in a coffee shop approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the scene of the initial arrest. Both officers now face serious drugs-related charges as a result of their alleged involvement in the smuggling operation.
The Igoumenitsa area, where the arrests took place, is situated near the border with Albania. This region has been identified as a hotspot for the smuggling of large quantities of marijuana into Greece, underscoring the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating drug trafficking activities.