Court finds nine guilty in trial of Noor 1 ship

A former shipowner and a shipping agent were on Monday found guilty of participating in the smuggling of more than 2 tons of heroin into Greece aboard the Noor 1 cargo ship in 2014 but were not convicted on the more serious charge of running a criminal organization.

The sentences for Makis Yiannousakis, formerly the owner of the Noor 1, and Giorgos Bourdouvalis, the agent, along with another seven defendants who were found guilty as accomplices are to be announced in the coming days. Lawyers representing the defendants have asked for a series of extenuating circumstances to be considered in the sentencing.

In the summer of 2014, authorities seized 500 kilos of drugs at Yiannousakis’s residence in Filothei, northern Athens. Bourdouvalis, the agent, was responsible for the cargo ship’s lease, the court heard.

Three Greek, three Turkish defendants and an Iranian national were also found guilty, while most of the crew members were acquitted.

The shipowner’s ex-wife, her mother and a maid were also cleared of any involvement in the affair.