Authorities arrest two Turkish nationals in suspected weapons trafficking operation
The suspects are accused of transporting untraceable firearms — factory-made pistols stripped of all brand markings and serial numbers — which investigators believe were destined for Turkish criminal networks operating in Greece.
According to police, the investigation was launched following intelligence indicating that a criminal organization, primarily composed of Turkish nationals, was smuggling weapons through the Meriç (Evros) border region for distribution to domestic criminal groups.
Authorities said investigators received information on Saturday that a large shipment of weapons would be transported by vehicle from İskeçe (Xanthi) to Gümülcine (Komotini) later that day.
Police units were subsequently deployed across both cities and along the connecting road network. Officers intercepted the suspect vehicle on the İskeçe (Xanthi)-Gümülcine (Komotini) provincial road and detained the driver, one of the two suspects.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a travel bag in the trunk containing 25 identical pistols without serial numbers or identifying marks, along with matching magazines. Police said the weapons had been tightly wrapped in transparent plastic packaging to protect them from moisture and corrosion during transport.
Ballistics experts noted that the complete absence of serial numbers and manufacturing marks makes it extremely difficult to determine the weapons’ origin, manufacturer, or trafficking route into Greece.
Investigators said the case bears strong similarities to a major arms-smuggling incident in October 2025, when authorities seized 147 pistols and 173 magazines shortly after they crossed a river checkpoint in the Meriç (Evros) region. Thirteen Turkish nationals were arrested in that operation.
During questioning, the driver allegedly told investigators that another individual collected him from his home in Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli) early Saturday and drove him to İskeçe (Xanthi). He claimed he only learned later in the day that weapons had been concealed inside the vehicle and had been promised 300 euros to deliver the car to an unidentified recipient in Gümülcine (Komotini).
Based on the driver’s testimony, police later arrested the second suspect at his residence. The suspect denied all allegations during interrogation.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to identify additional members of the network and determine the intended recipients of the weapons shipment.
Source:Kathimerini
