Recently, Greek authorities arrested six dockworkers suspected of smuggling drugs through the Port of Piraeus. This marks the third time in three years that port workers or affiliated personnel have been detained in connection with cocaine trafficking at the port.

According to local media reports, the individuals were employed by a private company operating cargo services at the Port of Piraeus. They are accused of participating in an international organized crime operation, though they have denied the charges.

The drugs were reportedly hidden in refrigerated banana containers shipped from Ecuador—a common method used to conceal cocaine coming from South America. The banana-producing region near Guayaquil, Ecuador, is a major hub for drug transit. Due to the high volume of banana exports, it is difficult for customs officers to detect suspicious shipments. Bananas are often shipped to cocaine’s destination markets in Europe and North America, making them a convenient transport "cover."

Greek police stated that they obtained surveillance of the group's communications. The smuggling operation was allegedly orchestrated by an Albanian criminal organization. The group reportedly took advantage of the dockworkers’ access to the port and instructed them to extract the drugs from "dirty" containers. Albanian mafia groups are known to be major players in cocaine trafficking and are believed to have close ties with Italy’s 'Ndrangheta, widely recognized as a leading force in Europe’s cocaine trade.

A high-risk raid in the Neo Ikonio area of Piraeus resulted in the arrest of four dockworkers as they were retrieving cocaine from a container. Additional suspects were pursued afterward. During the escape attempt, the suspects tried to flee in a Porsche mini-SUV, but police fired at the tires to stop the vehicle.

About the Port of Piraeus

Located in the city of Piraeus in the Attica region of Greece, the Port of Piraeus is the country’s largest seaport. Situated just 9 kilometers from Athens, it ranks among the world’s top 50 container ports and is the largest container port in the Eastern Mediterranean.