Police officers implicated in big crime rackets

Two major criminal gangs which police started disbanding earlier this week have been linked to more than 2,000 robberies across the country, according to police sources who said raids on the suspects’ homes turned up around 1 million euros in cash, 120 kilograms of silver, gold bars and 60 luxury cars.

Out of the 40 people arrested by police, chiefly members of the Roma community, eight are believed to have played pivotal roles, including the alleged ringleader, a 66-year-old from Elefsina.

The suspects include three pawn shop owners.

The investigation has also implicated four police officers in the operation of the rackets, one of whom has been arrested.