Greek authorities have uncovered a criminal ring involving three self-styled priests, accused of trafficking cocaine and profiting from migrant smuggling operations, following a months-long investigation led by the country’s organized crime unit.
According to police sources, eight people were arrested in total during coordinated raids in Athens and on the island of Rhodes. Among them is a 46-year-old self-proclaimed priest, who was once a model, YouTuber, and television commentator before being defrocked by an Old Calendarist Orthodox sect that is considered as heretical by the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece.
A Former Model Turned “Priest Influencer”
The 46-year-old man, known for his social media presence and cooking channel, had cultivated an image as a celebrity cleric. His YouTube videos, where he shared recipes, attracted thousands of followers.
In the past, he worked as a model and later appeared as a lifestyle commentator on Greek TV. Despite his defrocking, he continued presenting himself as a member of the clergy, adopting the title “Archbishop of the Old Calendarists” — a designation not recognized by the official Church.
His small chapel in central Athens, reportedly funded by a Greek expatriate in Canada, was used as the group’s base of operations. Investigators say the premises, including a side chapel, were used to store narcotics intended for distribution.
Arrests in Athens and Rhodes
Police arrested a second priest in Rhodes, caught handing over a suitcase containing more than two kilograms of cocaine to another member of the network. He had allegedly convinced an unsuspecting woman to transport the bag to the island while he traveled by air.
A third priest, already serving a sentence in Komotini Prison for migrant smuggling, is believed to have also played a key role in the network’s operations.
Authorities identified a 52-year-old woman as the leader of the group, coordinating the movements of the priests and their associates.
“Candles” and “Coffee”: The Code Words for Drugs
Investigators revealed that the gang used coded language to conceal their trafficking activity. Cocaine was referred to as “candle”, cannabis as “coffee”, and unprocessed marijuana as “fanouropita” — a traditional Greek cake named after a saint.
Through these coded terms, members were able to communicate about deals and deliveries without drawing suspicion.
The Investigation
After months of surveillance and phone monitoring, the Greek police’s anti-narcotics and organized crime units (sometimes referred to in local media as the “Greek FBI”) managed to dismantle the network.
The arrests and seizures mark the latest in a string of high-profile scandals involving individuals posing as clergymen. The case has drawn national attention due to the unusual mix of religious imagery, celebrity culture, and organized crime.
The suspects now face serious charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and human smuggling. Authorities continue to investigate the group’s financial transactions and potential international connections.
