Intercepted phone conversations have shed light on the alleged activities of a drug trafficking ring based in Mykonos, with members reportedly using coded language for drug deals and discussing intimidation tactics, according to material being examined by Greek authorities.
According to a report by protothema.gr, the conversations suggest some members discussed adopting methods associated with criminal organisations in Mexico and Latin America.
In one recorded exchange, an alleged member is heard saying:
"He wants us to turn it into Mexico now, hire some masked Mexicans and make them unable to get up again."
According to the report, the remark was made during discussions about intimidation, assaults and applying pressure to others.
Coded language for drugs
Authorities say members of the alleged network used a range of codewords to refer to narcotics.
According to protothema.gr, terms used for pink cocaine included:
- "Lahmacun"
- "Pink garnish"
- "Colourful"
- "Secret recipe"
For cocaine, members allegedly used expressions such as:
- "Eggs"
- "Girls"
- "People"
- "Babies"
Meanwhile:
- Raw cannabis was allegedly referred to as "Jenny"
- MDMA was allegedly referred to as "Lady"
Conversations under scrutiny
In one of the conversations cited in the investigation, a transfer driver allegedly contacted the group's suspected leader to say that customers from the United States were looking for a particular product.
When the driver attempted to describe what they wanted, the other man reportedly asked whether they were referring to "lahmacun", before discussing a price of between €150 and €180.
In another recorded call, the suspected leader allegedly instructed an associate to hand over "all the lahmacun" he had in his vehicle because customers were waiting.
The coded terminology appears to have been used routinely.
In another conversation, a group member reportedly stated that several women "want the secret recipe", to which the suspected leader allegedly replied:
"The lahmacun?"
Concerns over quality and police checks
According to material published by SKAI, one company driver allegedly referred to a customer who had complained about the quality of pink cocaine he had purchased.
The participants then reportedly discussed whether the substance differed from previous batches, with one commenting that the product sold the previous year had been "dynamite".
Court documents cited by protothema.gr indicate that the alleged members also discussed drug quality, deliveries and transaction arrangements.
The conversations also suggest the group was increasingly concerned about police and regulatory controls on the island.
In one exchange, the alleged leader warned associates to be particularly careful around ports and airports.
"Things have become much tougher out here. Can't you hear? Can't you see?" he is heard saying.
In another conversation, he reportedly warned that:
"Ports and airports are very dangerous."
Plans for expansion
One of the most notable conversations concerns alleged plans to expand operations through a legitimate business front.
According to the investigation, the suspected leader discussed finding commercial premises capable of housing three or four companies.
"We'll all be working, we'll be legal, and you'll see, we'll keep customers and everything else," he allegedly said.
The conversation culminated in the remark that drew particular attention:
"Before Erdogan gets there, I'll conquer Mykonos and hand it over to him ready."
Ongoing investigation
The intercepted conversations form part of the evidence being examined by Greek authorities as they continue investigating the alleged criminal organisation and its activities on Mykonos.
