Probe into high-ranking former police officer over crime rackets

The police’s internal affairs division is investigating a high-ranking former police officer in connection with two interlinked robbery rings that have were smashed in a wide-scale operation last week.

According to sources, wiretaps on suspects’ telephones have revealed evidence that may link the former police chief to two rackets that are believed to have been run by prominent members of the Roma community and responsible for dozens of high-profile robberies that netted the gangs at least 1 million euros in cash, among other valuable loot.

The wiretap transcripts include the conversations of man said to be the officer’s driver, which suggest that gang members used police contacts to evade criminal investigation, a police source told Kathimerini.

The former officer has also been linked to a previous probe into police involvement in a migrant trafficking ring.

The internal affairs investigation also concerns three other police officers and a lawyer.