EMEA News
Greek Bunkering Firm Head Arrested over Smuggling Ring
The head of Greek bunkering firm ETEKA has been arrested for alleged participation in a fuel-smuggling ring that is said to have illegally supplied more than 4.5 million litres of fuel oil to Attica gas stations, news site eKathimerini reports.
Police say ETEKA's tanker truck drivers siphoned off fuel oil during deliveries to ships, mixed it will fuel for vehicles, and sold it through gas stations.
Police arrested 15 people said to be part of the ring, including ETEKA head Giorgos Spanos, and another nine people are being sought in the investigation.
A senior Environment Ministry official and a customs official were also among those detained, under suspicion that they warned the racket of scheduled inspections.
"We observed fuel transfusions, from one truck to another, during the night," a police source said.
The smuggling is said to have kept €3.5 million ($4.8 million) from the state.
ETEKA operates seven refuelling ships and can respond to calls in all Greek ports with road tankers, according to the company's website.
