Greek authorities believe the seizure of a shipment of high-powered military equipment from a van that had travelled from Greece’s western port of Patra to Bari, Italy, is due to formalities relating to the accompanying paperwork.
Media reported that Italian law enforcement officers stopped a 46-year-old French citizen on June 7 after he disembarked from the Superfast II vessel that had arrived from Patra. In his van, which had French number plates, investigators found five boxes containing tubes and missiles, including three Akeron missiles.
The reports said the international consignment notes were too vague to clarify the nature of the load, while containers had the wrong labelling. The van’s driver has been jailed pending trial.
Kathimerini understands the anti-tank missiles had been purchased by Cyprus from France and had undergone tests. The companies named by the arrested driver do indeed exist and are based in Greece.
The same source said the possibility that this incident is linked to arms smuggling is very small.
