Greek police said Tuesday it had arrested 17 people in various parts of Greece in a new operation targeting an alleged criminal network accused of fraudulently obtaining European Union agricultural subsidies through Greece’s former payment agency OPEKEPE.
The ongoing operation, led by Thessaloniki’s Organized Crime Unit, involves two Declaration Reception Centres (KYD) in Thessaloniki and in Serres, through which accomplices illegally claimed farm payments since 2019. Alleged members of the criminal group were detained in Thessaloniki, Serres, Kilkis and Athens.
Police estimate the network’s illegal profits exceeded €4.5 million, while the investigation continues.
The raid is the second in two days, after officers arrested 20 people in Crete as part of several ongoing OPEKEPE fraud investigations.
OPEKEPE POLICE CRIME CORRUPTION AGRICULTURE
