ATHENS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Greek police have arrested 37 people in a nationwide operation targeting a criminal network accused of defrauding the European Union's (EU) agricultural subsidy system, authorities said on Wednesday.
According to the Hellenic Police, the operation was carried out by the Organized Crime Division in Thessaloniki, Pella, Ioannina, Attica, and Crete. The suspects allegedly obtained EU farm subsidies through false declarations submitted to OPEKEPE, a public agency responsible for managing and disbursing agricultural aid schemes funded by the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.
Investigators estimate that the network illegally acquired between 5 million euros (5.8 million U.S. dollars) and 10 million euros out of more than 20 million euros in total subsidies. Most suspects are not connected to farming, and the core group is believed to consist of about 10 individuals, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported.
The operation was conducted in cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor's Office, which began investigating the case about 18 months ago, the report added. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) ■