Inspectors from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue’s DEOS dismantled an extensive and fully organized LPG smuggling ring. The operation was fully coordinated through the DEOS Central Operations Room and took place simultaneously in 14 cities, specifically in Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Rhodes, Trikala, Karditsa, Kastoria, Athens, Katerini, Nafplio, Aspropyrgos, Santorini, Agrinio, Rethymno, and Kalamata.
Twenty-eight teams with more than 100 auditors, assisted by 4 lead investigators and 4 operational analysts, simultaneously entered the premises of the targeted businesses and conducted customs and tax audits, while also investigating any potential financial crimes. As a result of the aforementioned inspections, two individuals were brought before the prosecutor, and 15 tanker trucks and 293,000 liters of LPG were seized and impounded.
Finally, an open-air site for the illegal storage of LPG was identified, as well as another site where the clandestine storage of fuel was discovered. The individuals involved will face the applicable administrative and criminal penalties. The inspection is being extended to the customers of these businesses to verify the lawful use of LPG.
