Greek authorities have detained 16 individuals and confiscated weapons and drugs as part of a targeted operation to dismantle Turkish criminal groups operating within the country, police have announced.
This operation reported on December 11 highlighted growing concern in Greece where the presence of Turkish criminal gangs has increased significantly in recent years.
Greek police sources have reported a noticeable rise in shootings and arrests involving Turkish nationals, many of whom are suspected gang members fleeing legal crackdowns in Turkey to continue their operations on foreign soil.
The latest incident underscoring this trend occurred a few days ago in southern Athens, where two Turkish nationals were killed and another seriously injured in a gun attack. The circumstances of the shooting are under investigation but authorities suspect it was linked to gang conflicts.
In November, Greek police dismantled an extensive Turkish drug trafficking network operating across the country. In June, a 22-year-old Turkish national was held pending trial after allegedly fatally shooting another Turk and seriously wounding a third in an altercation at the port city of Piraeus.
Police have confirmed that the weapons and drugs confiscated in the latest operation were substantial in number, underscoring the scale of the threat posed by these criminal networks.
Authorities have said they believed the influx of Turkish gang members into Greece was partly due to intensified crackdowns in Turkey, forcing them to relocate and re-establish themselves abroad.
The rise in violent incidents has sparked growing concerns about public safety in Greece. Local residents in affected areas, particularly in Athens, have expressed fears over escalating violence, with several incidents taking place in densely populated neighbourhoods.
Greek police, in response, have ramped up operations against organised crime, focusing not only on arrests but also on breaking these groups’ logistical and financial structures.
Officials are also exploring greater international co-operation to address the cross-border nature of these criminal organisations.
As investigations continue, authorities have remained vigilant about the potential for further violence and have called for additional resources to combat the evolving threat.
The recent operation served as a step in curbing the activities of Turkish criminal gangs but officials acknowledged that the challenge remained significant.
VIDEO: Syrians fear their country now faces an Islamic regime under the Turkey-backed conquerors, and military intervention may be necessary, @RibalAlAssad, first cousin of the deposed president, tells @JustinStares. https://t.co/rTig7UlnTc
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