A 53-year-old bar owner was arrested in Heraklion, Crete, on suspicion of illegally possessing and distributing alcoholic beverages, Greek authorities said.
During a coordinated operation by the Organized Crime Division of Crete and a specialized economic enforcement unit from Attica, authorities seized 284 containers holding 1,003 liters of alcoholic liquid, along with 129 metal canisters of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas.”
Authorities estimated that the seized nitrous oxide could have been used to produce about 30,000 balloons for distribution.
The case concerns the owner of a licensed food and beverage establishment who traded and distributed non-compliant alcoholic beverages. A 46-year-old manager and representative of a distillery business based in Attica is also named in the case file.
More than 1,000 liters of alcohol seized
Authorities searched a storage area on the ground floor of the establishment and found numerous containers of alcoholic beverages without the required tax documents or labels, as well as metal canisters containing nitrous oxide.
The seized alcohol included:
- 98 five-liter plastic bottles containing unidentified, unlabeled alcoholic liquid;
- 50 five-liter plastic bottles containing clear alcoholic liquid and distillery markings;
- 24 five-liter plastic bottles marked with an alcohol content of 38%;
- 48 one-liter bottles containing alcoholic liquid and distillery markings;
- 20 1.75-liter bottles containing what appeared to be vodka with an alcohol content of 40%;
- 40 one-liter bottles marked with an alcohol content of 40%.
Authorities found that the beverages were not accompanied by the legally required documentation and that the applicable duties and taxes had not been paid.
In addition, 126 containers carried labels identifying a specific distillery business based in Attica.
Large quantity of laughing gas found
The same storage area also contained:
- 67 metal canisters containing 2,000 grams of nitrous oxide each;
- 48 metal canisters containing 580 grams each;
- 14 industrial canisters, each holding approximately 50 liters;
- 115 release valves;
- 300 balloons intended for the distribution and sale of the gas to the public.
Authorities estimated that the total quantity of nitrous oxide could produce approximately 30,000 balloons.
Investigation expands to Attica
As part of the wider investigation, authorities searched facilities belonging to the distillery business in Attica.
They seized a five-liter plastic bottle containing clear alcoholic liquid that appeared similar to the bottles found in Heraklion, as well as seven additional five-liter bottles whose legal possession and production are being examined.
The competent customs authority is also checking the company’s inventory to determine whether the alcoholic beverages were legally produced and distributed.
The seized beverages were sent to the customs authority for examination. Authorities estimated the amount of unpaid taxes and duties owed to the Greek state at 2,964 euros.
Samples of the alcoholic liquids and gas canisters were also sent to the appropriate chemical laboratory for testing, with all necessary safety measures taken.
The 53-year-old suspect is expected to be brought before the competent prosecutor along with the case file prepared against him.
