St Andrew honored at home
Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis called on the people of Patra to celebrate the city’s patron saint at home today and avoid social gatherings that could spread the coronavirus. Authorities are concerned that the Feast of Agios Andreas today could serve as a superspreader event if people ignore the restrictions on movement and gatherings. A similar event in Thessaloniki, when the city celebrated its own patron saint, Agios Dimitrios, on October 26, is believed to have sparked an outbreak. “Every Achaian has a duty to protect oneself and protect others.” “We need 100% compliance, agreement, solidarity. Not 99.9% but 100%,” he added.
Gang dismantled. Police said on Saturday that they had dismantled a drug distribution network which used a school as one of its bases. A total of 14 people were arrested, including two gang leaders, while another eight suspects were still at large. The gang was reportedly divided into two subgroups, one of them operating out of a school complex in the district of Galatsi and the other in Nea Philadephia. The network distributed drugs in and around central Athens. The investigation identified at least 850 drug transactions, many of them conducted within the school complex. After raids on the homes of suspects, police seized more than 10 kilos of cannabis, 172 grams of cocaine, seven precision scales, a revolver and a shotgun, 39,060 euros, five vehicles, six motorcycles and 36 mobile phones. The illegal financial gain of the criminal network is estimated to be at least 309,000 euros. Many of the gang members have been arrested in the past for drug offenses and have served prison sentences.
Restaurant violation.
The owner of a restaurant in Edessa in northern Greece has been arrested for opening his establishment despite the restrictions in place, police said on Saturday. Police said they inspected the premises on Friday night and found it to be open and serving food, with five customers inside. The owner was arrested on the spot and fined 3,000 euros, while the customers were each fined 300 euros.