Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested two men wanted in Greece on suspicion of holding top roles in a contraband cigarette trafficking gang that engaged in a murderous turf war with other domestic criminal groups.
The alleged leader of the gang, known by the nickname Edik, and his alleged top lieutenant, an ethnic Greek from Uzbekistan known as Leonidas, were arrested in Dubai.
The criminal organization is largely made up of Ukrainian, Russian and Georgian nationals.
Greek authorities are expected to make a formal extradition request.
The gang is believed to have been involved in multiple cases of extortion, abduction, arson, explosions, grievous bodily harm and threats against competitors, and to have ordered the killing of members of rival gangs.
