Greek police dismantled a protection racket in Athens operating on the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos in the Aegean Sea, and the capital Athens, where their headquarters were based.
Law enforcement officers arrested four alleged members, three Greek nationals and a foreign national, of the criminal organization, according to a statement issued by police.
Two of the alleged gang members were apprehended two days ago after they were caught in the act of receiving protection money from a shop owner. Both suspects resisted arrest but were finally subdued by police.
Using the pretext of offering “protection” to businesses, the group demanded money, with two of its members taking on leadership roles (boss and underling), while two others acted as “collectors.”
According to the police report, two pistols and three folding knives were found and confiscated, among other items.
The masterminds of the protection racket in Athens were also arrested yesterday in an area of Attica. Police seized two pistols, and three folding knives. Police have confirmed four cases of extortion targeting store owners in Mykonos, Glyfada, and Alimos were linked to the gang.
The criminal group had demanded a total of 8,500 euros from Mykonos store owners for the summer season, of which they received 5,900 euros. In Attica, they had been extorting 200 euros per month from store owners since November 2023.
