Pelion: How 8 Ukrainians and Israelis Were Trapped with 130 Kilos of Ketamine and MDMA

They set off from the Netherlands with motorhomes and 130 kilos of ketamine and MDMA, intending to sell them to clients they had arranged to meet in Pelion. Four Ukrainians—three men and one woman (who reportedly was unaware of the drug trade)—permanent residents of the Netherlands, arrived in Pelion with two motorhomes and set up camp in the wider area of Kalá Nerá.

Their clients were four Israelis—three men and one woman—who came to Volos solely to collect the merchandise and leave, planning to distribute it in Middle Eastern countries.

The first group of Israelis that arrived in Volos, with more expected to follow, was under surveillance by Israeli police forces, who had alerted authorities across Europe.

The Israeli services knew every move of the traffickers, and when they arrived in Pelion two days ago, they were arrested in a roadblock in Agria as they were leaving Volos after collecting 30 kilos of drugs. Simultaneously, another team of police officers searched the motorhomes in the wider Kalá Nerá area, where they found 100 kilos of ketamine (50 liters in containers) and MDMA hidden in compartments.

A transnational criminal organization involved in drug trafficking through Greece was dismantled.

They were arrested on Monday night and were brought before the prosecutor yesterday, accompanied by lawyers, where they requested a three-day extension.

According to the police, the organization’s members obtained drugs from Western European countries, concealed them in motorhomes, and transported and imported them into Greek territory.

The roles of the criminal organization members:

• A 44-year-old leader coordinated and planned the illegal activities, recruited members, procured the drugs, and arranged their transportation and delivery to Israel.
• Three members (aged 34, 35, and 39) were responsible for receiving the drugs in Greece, coordinating their transportation to Israel, renting a boat, and concealing the substances on it.
• Four members (aged 37, 38, 38, and 39) were in charge of receiving the drugs abroad and importing them into Greece via Bulgaria using motorhomes, where they were hidden.
• Unidentified members, part of a yacht crew, were responsible for receiving the drugs in Greece and transporting them by sea to Israel.

The investigation led to the discovery and confiscation of:

• 53 kilos and 240 grams of MDMA,
• 50 kilos and 250 grams of ketamine,
• 7 grams of cannabis,
• €2,450,
• 3,460 Israeli shekels,
• A vehicle,
• 2 motorhomes,
• 13 mobile phones, and
• 14 containers.

According to the police, the illegal financial gains of the criminal organization, considering its professional infrastructure, continuous activity, and geographic spread, are estimated to exceed €2,500,000. The arrested individuals were brought before the competent prosecutor, while investigations to identify and arrest the remaining members continue.

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