A large-scale alcohol checkpoint operation was carried out overnight in a central district of Athens, as authorities continue to intensify enforcement against driving under the influence.

The operation took place in the area of Pagkrati, a densely populated neighborhood known for its nightlife, where police set up multiple control points from late Sunday evening until the early hours of Monday.

According to authorities, more than 15 officers from traffic police units and specialized road accident prevention teams were deployed. The teams created designated traffic lanes using cones and conducted continuous breathalyzer tests on passing drivers at four key intersections.

The checkpoints were positioned across several streets in the area, targeting vehicles entering and moving through busy nightlife zones. The scale of the operation reportedly surprised both drivers and pedestrians, many of whom stopped to watch the controls unfold.

In one notable incident, a motorcyclist was reportedly checked twice within a short period after passing through the same controlled area again, highlighting the intensity and repetition of the enforcement measures.

The operation resulted in multiple fines, vehicle immobilizations, and license suspensions, as part of what authorities describe as a strict zero-tolerance policy on alcohol-impaired driving.

The Athens Traffic Police stated that such operations are being expanded beyond traditional checkpoints and into residential and entertainment districts, aiming to increase deterrence and road safety.

Recent figures from broader regional enforcement efforts underline the scale of the campaign, with hundreds of thousands of breath tests conducted across the wider Athens area in recent weeks, leading to arrests and confirmed violations involving drivers over the legal alcohol limit.