The Internal Affairs Service of the Hellenic Security Forces has dismantled an organized crime group involved in drug trafficking on the island of Rhodes, following a coordinated police operation in the morning hours of Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.

The operation resulted in the arrest of five members of the organization, while 20 more individuals have been charged in connection with the case, four of whom are identified as members of the criminal group (two already incarcerated).

Following a lengthy and thorough investigation, authorities found that the group had been trafficking drugs — mainly cocaine — via ferry routes from Piraeus to Rhodes since at least April 2025.

The alleged ringleader, a 40-year-old foreign national, was responsible for the overall planning and coordination. Police said he secured drug quantities from the Attica region; organized their transport by ship from Piraeus to Rhodes; instructed other members on receipt, transport and safe delivery; and received and stored the drugs in Rhodes.

The ring leader was reportedly in contact with two women, aged 32 and 24, both of whom had police records, before and after key ferry routes regarding the receipt and delivery of narcotics.

Other members — including an active-duty serviceman — were involved in procuring, storing, concealing and distributing drugs.

Investigators determined that the organization had trafficked at least seven kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding €700,000.

In a separate case file, two police officers and a private individual were accused of alleged usury, fraud, complicity in fraud exceeding €120,000, and money laundering.

According to police, the investigation began following a complaint alleging that two officers serving in Rhodes were involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. No evidence was found linking the two officers to the trafficking ring.

During the investigation, a business owner filed a complaint against the two police officers, alleging usury and fraud through the withholding of percentages following the liquidation of checks.

A financial investigation was launched into the two officers, while one of them was found to have committed another act of usury against a private individual.