Greek authorities have announced the arrest of 11 individuals involved in a meticulously organized smuggling operation that transported containers filled with raw cowhides from South America. According to police, this is the first time such a sophisticated method of cocaine smuggling has been uncovered in Greece—though it is becoming increasingly common in other parts of the world.

The investigation spanned several months and involved a highly systematic and complex operation that tracked the containers shipped to Greece. After arriving at the port, the containers were transported by truck to a front company, a supposed wholesaler of leather and travel goods. The hides were then unloaded and stored at a covert processing facility in Sparta, established by the cartel.

The raid, which took place in the early hours of July 3, resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects, including a Greek national who coordinated and oversaw the operation and two drivers. Authorities also detained four foreign nationals who operated the lab, as well as a Greek citizen who provided the premises. Another suspect—believed to have established the front company—is still at large. A foreign national living in Spain, suspected of being the mastermind and manager of the operation, is also wanted.

According to police, the cowhides had been salted, dried, and soaked in pure cocaine in South America. In the Sparta lab, the team was soaking the hides to remove the salt and extract the cocaine, which was then refined for resale.

From the raid, authorities recovered 100 kilograms of cocaine and 550 kilograms of salt from 200 processed hides. An additional 1,500 untreated hides remain, which police estimate could yield up to 700 kilograms of cocaine. They also seized 245 kilograms of chemicals, firearms, three cars, two trucks, lab equipment, and €82,180 (approximately $96,222) in cash.

Police believe this was part of an ongoing large-scale operation, potentially generating tens of millions of euros in illegal profits.

In May, Greek authorities reported a smaller-scale case involving clothing soaked in cocaine imported from Ecuador. Australia has also recently reported similar arrests, including a case where meth-coated ceramic tiles were seized. Greek police noted these examples highlight the increasing scale and complexity of drug smuggling operations, as well as the evolving methods traffickers are using to avoid detection.