Thousands of motorcyclists began arriving in the extreme northwestern port city of Igoumenitsa on Thursday ahead of an international gathering of Hells Angels members at the nearby resort of Drepano, as authorities in Greece intensified security measures and traffic controls for what’s expected to be one of the largest biker events ever held in the wider southeast Europe region.
Groups of riders arrived both by ferry from Italy and via major road networks leading into the northwest Epirus province, with arrivals expected to peak on Friday ahead of the official opening of the gathering.
Footage from the port showed large numbers of motorcyclists disembarking from vessels arriving from Italy before heading toward Drepano and surrounding areas, where hotels, rental accommodations and hospitality businesses have reported a surge in demand.
The gathering comes as police, coast guard and customs authorities remain on heightened alert. Greek authorities have activated information-sharing channels with law enforcement agencies across the European Union and drawn up an extensive security plan focused on monitoring individuals considered to be of operational interest. The National Intelligence Service has also assessed the activities and organizational structure of Hells Angels chapters operating in Greece.
The Hells Angels, one of the world’s largest motorcycle clubs in the world, maintain hundreds of chapters across dozens of countries. While the organization describes itself as a fraternity of motorcycle enthusiasts, law enforcement agencies in Europe and North America have long associated some chapters and individual members with organized criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking, extortion and other offenses. The club rejects characterizations portraying it as a criminal organization and argues that any unlawful acts are the responsibility of individual members.
Authorities are expected to maintain an increased presence around the port of Igoumenitsa, major access roads and the Drepano area throughout the gathering, which runs through the weekend.
