AADE intensifies anti-smuggling crackdown in H2 2025, seizes cash, drugs and illegal vaccines at Greek Borders
According to the official action report, customs authorities conducted strict surveillance at airports, ports and land border crossings, using advanced X-ray scanning systems and specially trained detection dogs. The coordinated operations led to a series of major seizures between July and December 2025.
Millions in Cash, Gold and Financial Instruments Seized
During the reporting period, authorities confiscated:
- €773,355
- $101,230 (U.S.)
- $10,815 (Canadian)
- 112,000 Turkish lira
- 9,900 Israeli shekels
- 130 British pounds
- 5,850 Russian rubles
- 17,840 Ukrainian hryvnias
- 605,500 Hungarian forints
- 2,573 Chinese yuan
- 47,540 Serbian dinars
- 11,000 Polish zloty
In addition, customs officers seized bank cheques worth €21,101 and 995,197 Turkish lira, along with 14 gold coins and three gold bars.
Tobacco, Alcohol and Counterfeit Goods
Authorities also confiscated:
- 4,715,310 cigarette sticks
- 231 kilograms of tobacco
- 425 cigars
- 10,780 heated tobacco sticks
- 96 bottles of illicit alcoholic beverages
- 27,448 smuggled items, including bags, clothing, pills and knives
- 6,262 counterfeit goods
Major Drug Interceptions
Drug seizures included:
- 168 kilograms of cannabis
- 506 kilograms of the narcotic substance KHAT
- 1,010,650 narcotic tablets
Key Operations in Meriç Border Region
At the Kastanies Customs Office in Meriç, authorities detected and seized €103,570, 605,500 Hungarian forints and $23,700 in undeclared cash. Officers also confiscated 47,800 cigarettes and 1.5 kilograms of tobacco. Additionally, 40 tubes (50g each) containing methyl salicylate were seized.
At the Kipi Customs Office, officers inspecting a vehicle arriving from Türkiye discovered 24 packages of veterinary pharmaceutical products hidden inside the cabin. A subsequent investigation confirmed that the cargo consisted of a live lyophilized vaccine against sheep and goat pox of Turkish origin. The import and distribution of the vaccine are prohibited within the European Union due to increased risks to public and animal health.
In a separate operation, inspectors from the 10th Customs Enforcement Department of Gümülcine, assisted by detection dog “Unox” from Kipi Customs, uncovered 77 kilograms of unprocessed cannabis at the Nymfaia Border Crossing. The drugs were found inside five travel bags in a passenger vehicle with Bulgarian license plates. The driver was arrested on the spot and referred to the competent prosecutorial authorities.
AADE emphasized that intensified controls will continue into 2026, as authorities aim to curb illicit trade networks and safeguard public revenue, public health and market integrity.
