Newsflash from Saturday, 4 October 2025.
In one of the largest drug busts in recent years, police in Crete have uncovered and dismantled a massive illegal hashish plantation, seizing more than 1,000 cannabis plants hidden deep in a remote mountainous area.
According to a report by Nea Kriti, the operation was carried out earlier this week by the Hellenic Police’s Anti-Narcotics Division, following weeks of surveillance and aerial reconnaissance. The plantation was located in a greenhouse covering an area of approximately 6 hectares.
The Operation
Police officers, assisted by drones and special units, raided the site early in the morning on Friday. They discovered:
– Over 1,000 fully grown cannabis plants, some exceeding two meters in height
– Irrigation pipes and water tanks connected to a nearby spring
– Temporary shelters and cultivation tools used by the growers
Authorities described the plantation as a “mammoth-scale operation”, noting the level of organization and investment involved. The estimated street value of the seized plants is believed to reach hundreds of thousands of euros once processed.
Arrests and Investigation
According to neakriti.gr, the police authorities arrested a man. Police believe the plantation may be connected to a larger criminal network operating across Crete and mainland Greece.
The operation is part of an ongoing campaign by Greek authorities to combat large-scale cannabis cultivation on the island, which remains a persistent issue due to its favorable climate and remote terrain.
> “This was a highly organized and extensive cultivation site,” a police spokesperson said. “Our goal is not only to seize the drugs but to identify and dismantle the networks behind them.”
Broader Context
Crete has seen a series of major drug raids in recent years, as law enforcement intensifies efforts to curb illegal plantations that often exploit secluded mountain or forest areas. Authorities emphasize that such operations not only target narcotics trafficking but also aim to protect the island’s natural environment from illegal agricultural activity.
