Greek anti-drug police in Ioannina have dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks following a cinematic police pursuit that ended with the arrest of an Albanian national and the seizure of 167 kilograms of marijuana.

The operation began earlier today when officers from the Crime Investigation and Prosecution Sub-Directorate identified a suspicious vehicle with allegedly fake Ukrainian license plates traveling in the Konitsa area toward Kozani.

When police attempted to stop the car, the driver accelerated at high speed in an apparent attempt to escape. According to authorities, the suspect carried out dangerous maneuvers, including driving for long stretches in the opposite lane, putting other motorists at serious risk.

Police officers eventually managed to intercept the vehicle and arrest the suspect on a rural road near Papigo in the Zagori region.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered 28 packages containing a total of 167.2 kilograms of marijuana, hidden inside both the passenger cabin and the trunk.

Investigators also confirmed that the vehicle carried counterfeit license plates, while the Albanian suspect was reportedly staying in Greece illegally.

Greek authorities say that since September, nearly one ton of marijuana believed to have originated from Albania has been seized in multiple operations across the country. Cases have been recorded in Igoumenitsa through both land and sea routes, as well as in Ioannina, Thessaloniki, and Kastoria.