Greece: Major Police Operation Across Multiple Areas in Crete
A major police crackdown in Crete targets a gang illegally claiming farmland subsidies, causing financial damage exceeding €200,000, with arrests also linked to livestock theft investigations.
From the early hours today, Monday, May 18, 2026, a large police operation is underway in Heraklion and various areas of Crete. The objective is to dismantle a criminal organization whose members are allegedly involved in a series of serious offenses.
According to information so far, those arrested come from a village in the Heraklion hinterland. Authorities attribute their activities to agricultural land. Specifically, they are said to have occupied land and then declared it as their own to OPEKEPE (Greek Payment Authority of Common Agricultural Policy), in order to illegally collect agricultural subsidies. The amount they are believed to have obtained exceeds 580,000 euros.
Pressure and Damages to Owners
Those genuine landowners who refused to give up their plots or did not comply with the demands of the network faced threats and pressure. In some cases, arson or other property damage occurred. The total financial loss linked to the group’s activities is estimated to exceed 200,000 euros, while investigations may revise this figure upward.
The detainees face charges of participation in a criminal organization, fraud, extortion, arson, and property damage. By order of a prosecutor, police are expanding investigations across the island. The aim is to determine whether other individuals are involved or whether additional illegal land declarations were made in previous years.
Additional Arrests for Livestock Theft
Within the framework of the broader operation, three more arrests were made related to livestock theft cases. Investigations continue intensively, and further official announcements from the authorities are expected.
