Trio Arrested in Massive Cannabis Cultivation and Trafficking Operation in Mesara

Investigation Reveals Elaborate Cannabis Ring Operating in Mesara

In a shocking turn of events, three individuals have been apprehended and placed under pre-trial detention for their involvement in a large-scale cannabis cultivation and trafficking operation in Mesara. The accused, comprising two brothers aged 46 and 52, respectively, and a 33-year-old Pakistani worker, were taken into custody following their testimony to the Investigator.

Elaborate Setup Discovered in Galia’s Greenhouses

The illicit enterprise came to light when law enforcement officials from the Phaistos Police Department successfully uncovered a clandestine hashish production industry concealed within greenhouses located in Galia, and months of surveillance eventually led to the arrest of the perpetrators, who had been utilizing a villa overlooking the southern Cretan sea as their operational base.

Timed Harvesting for Maximum Profit

The criminal trio, consisting of the two Cretan brothers and the Pakistani worker, strategically cultivated hashish during the winter months and aimed to sell it in January, capitalizing on the scarcity of domestic supply to command premium prices. Their projected profits were estimated to reach a staggering 1.5 million euros, hinting at their involvement in previous drug-related activities.

Luxurious Lifestyle and Concealed Wealth

The investigation shed light on the opulent lifestyle maintained by the accused, particularly one of the brothers, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the operation despite claiming to be a humble farmer cultivating beans and pumpkins, the existence of a lavish villa, complete with a pool, suggested substantial ill-gotten gains from prior drug operations.

During a grueling 24-hour operation by the Phaistos Police Department, the thriving hashish industry hidden within the greenhouses was finally dismantled. Authorities initiated their intervention after observing heavy traffic, suspecting that large quantities of dried hashish were on the verge of being smuggled.

The Pakistani worker attempted to evade capture but was swiftly apprehended by the determined police. Initially denying his involvement in the greenhouse activities, he eventually confessed that he had been hired by the 46-year-old brother to tend to the plants, masquerading as caretaker of pumpkins.

Subsequently, the 52-year-old man was arrested, while his 46-year-old brother voluntarily surrendered to the police on Wednesday afternoon, further implicating himself in the illicit operation.