Lives in the Shadows: Inside Greece’s Quiet War on the Underworld
The Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) is intensifying efforts to dismantle Greece’s criminal networks by training undercover officers, creating shell companies, and safeguarding 61 informants. These individuals provide crucial testimonies for 57 ongoing investigations related to homicides, narcotics, and corruption.
Underground Fight Against Organized Crime
The battle against organized crime in Greece has shifted to secretive operations involving false identities and discreet agreements. To protect those who expose these illicit activities, the police ensure informants’ safety, sometimes covering their basic living costs such as rent, food, or relocation due to the serious risks they face.
It is within this clandestine landscape that the Hellenic Police now shelters 61 individuals whose testimonies are vital to 57 active investigations spanning homicides, narcotics, and corruption.
High-Risk Cases and Protection Measures
Approximately 15 cases are deemed especially sensitive, with credible threats looming over the lives of informants. Protecting these individuals is a priority, reflecting the high stakes involved in combating Greece’s underworld.
New Strategy to Combat Organized Crime
According to police sources, the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (DAOE), often called the “Greek FBI,” plans to launch a complex new strategy that combines undercover missions and intelligence work. About 15 officers will receive specialized training to prepare for extended undercover roles, aiming to strengthen law enforcement’s grasp on criminal activities.
In the coming days, authorities plan to launch an ambitious, albeit complicated, new strategy combining undercover operations and intelligence gathering under DAOE.
Global Black Market
The global black market trades in stolen gold, diamonds, and jewels taken from museums and private collections, feeding into Greece’s organized crime networks.
Author’s summary: Greece’s police intensify covert efforts against organized crime by protecting key informants and training undercover officers, tackling a dangerous, hidden criminal world.