Greek police arrested six people, including a prison staff member, after a raid on the Avlonas Special Youth Detention Facility aimed at cracking down on drug trafficking and organised crime networks operating inside the prison.
The operation took place on the afternoon of Monday, September 14, 2026, carried out by officers from the Hellenic Police's Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, with support from the EKAM special forces unit and in the presence of a public prosecutor.
According to the Hellenic Police (ELAS), the search followed intelligence gathered on the possession and distribution of narcotics inside the detention facility.
What officers found at Avlonas prison
Searching three cells, officers located and seized small quantities of cocaine, raw cannabis, and processed cannabis in "chocolate" form, a compressed hashish-like block.
They also found and confiscated four mobile phones, which are now being examined as part of the preliminary investigation.
Authorities said the inquiry indicated that five inmates arrested over possession of the substances appeared to have acted together, distributing drugs to other prisoners at the facility.
Prison employee also arrested
During the same police operation, a prison staff member was also arrested after officers found a hand-rolled cigarette containing raw cannabis in his possession.
The substance was confiscated, and on the order of the prosecutor in charge, the employee was released without further detention.
Case referred to prosecutor
The five inmates and the prison employee were brought before the relevant authorities, while the preliminary investigation continues in order to fully establish the facts of the case.
Authorities noted that the arrested inmates had previously come to police attention for similar offences as well as other crimes.
The Avlonas facility, located northeast of Athens, is Greece's dedicated detention centre for young offenders and has repeatedly been the focus of concern over contraband and drug smuggling within the prison system.
