GREECE: Suspected Drug Trafficker Arrested In Greece

A suspected drug trafficker who had been on the run from the police for over a year has been arrested in Greece, a police official has confirmed.

The 31-year-old suspect, who is wanted by police in Cyprus in connection with two cases relating to large drug busts, is currently in the custody of Athens police after a European arrest warrant was issued against him. The authorities in Greece have up to two months to decide whether or not to extradite him back to Cyprus.

“This individual had two outstanding warrants against him,” said Police Spokesperson Andreas Angelides, who also confirmed to state radio on Wednesday morning that he was in custody in Athens after being picked up in Piraeus.

“The one case dates back to last year when a car he was traveling in along with a Greek woman was stopped on the Limassol-Paphos motorway. Inside the car, police discovered one kilo of cocaine. The man was released on bail on April 20, 2014 but he then vanished. His partner was subsequently jailed for six and a half years later that year.”

He added: “Apart from this case, the same suspect also wanted in connection with a second drug related case. A car that was stopped in June last year by police on the Nicosia-Larnaca motorway led to the discovery of 7,000 ecstasy pills. Three suspects were arrested and investigators suspect that the 31-year-old was also involved.”

An extradition process is now expected to take place at the Athens High Court during which the authorities in Greece will have up to 60 days to either release the suspect or extradite him back to Cyprus.