The Greek Coast Guard confiscated six tons of cannabis and about three million “Captagon” amphetamine pills, inside a Syrian freighter, in the Port of Heraklion, Crete. The ship was heading to Libya and was intercepted by off Crete on December 5.
Greece has seized drugs worth more than 100 million euros ($113 million) after intercepting a Syrian ship sailing for Libya, according to Greek Coast Guard.
Officials found about six tonnes of processed cannabis and 3 million “Captagon” amphetamine pills hidden aboard the Syrian-flagged ‘Noka’.
On December 5, the ship was sailing from the Syrian port of Latakia to Benghazi when it was intercepted by Greek authorities off the southeastern coast of Crete.
The ‘Noka’ with 11 crew members was escorted to Heraklion port on the Greek island on December 8, where the authorities carried out the extensive inspection which lead to the seizure.
The drugs were found under false floors in eight containers, hidden between layers of coffee, spices and wood shavings which made the investigation work of the specialized team extremely difficult.
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Captagon is a psychostimulant which is made of a combination of amphetamine and theophylline. It is said to be a fund-raising tool and stimulant for militants and, according to Reuters, Syria is a major amphetamines exporter and consumer as a result of the country’s civil war..
The Hellenic Coast Guard, which carries out the preliminary investigation, confiscated the ship and all its cargo while the 11 crew members were arrested and appeared before a public prosecutor on Saturday, December 15.