Italian divers detained near Skopelos after seizure of red coral worth €800,000
DEOS unit of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue and the coast guard impounded Corallium rubrum after flagging suspicious shipments to Italy.
Greek authorities on the island of Skopelos detained a group of Italian nationals suspected of illegally extracting and trafficking red coral, authorities said.
The DEOS special unit of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), working with the coast guard, seized large quantities of coral with an estimated value of around €800,000. Investigators found a rented yacht equipped with specialized diving gear, cutting tools, storage areas and refrigeration chambers used to preserve the coral.
Data analysis led investigators to the sea
The case emerged after analysts reviewed records connected to a transport company. AADE's risk-analysis systems flagged unusual consignments and routes to ports in northern and central Italy. By comparing multiple sources of data — including the yacht's declarations, payment-card transactions and the transport firm's routing information — investigators linked the vessel to suspicious shipments.
According to authorities, experienced Italian divers carried out deep-water removals of coral from specific areas of the seabed. Some of the extraction sites were in or close to Natura 2000 areas, where coral ecosystems are under strict protection.
The seized coral was reportedly bound for workshops in southern Italy where it is processed into high-end jewelry and luxury items. Corallium rubrum — commonly referred to as red coral — has long been prized as the "red gold" of the Mediterranean. A well-developed coral-processing industry exists in Torre del Greco, near Naples.
Beyond regulated trade, which proceeds under licenses and quotas, a black market circulates illegally harvested coral through covert channels and false declarations. Coral smuggling is part of a wider illicit trade in marine species that also involves tropical fish, seahorses and other protected animals.
The investigation is ongoing and authorities have not yet released details about formal charges or next procedural steps.
Photo: press material from the event
