Greek Police Apprehend Erik Roveta, Leader of $21bn Oil Trafficking Network in Latin America

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Italian broker Venezuela oil trafficking
2. Accused Italian broker Venezuela scheme

Greek authorities have captured Erik Roveta, a 47-year-old Italian tanker broker, believed to be the mastermind behind a $21bn oil trafficking network in Latin America. Roveta was apprehended in Varkiza, a suburb of Athens, following an international arrest warrant from Venezuela. The criminal organization, known as PDVSA-Cripto, used deceptive tactics to smuggle hydrocarbons from Latin American ports. Roveta, previously arrested in Dubai, faces extradition to Venezuela. The network’s activities implicated former Venezuelan officials and businessmen. Another suspect, Jorge Germán Bonelli, is also facing extradition for his alleged involvement in the corruption network linked to the Maduro regime.

Italian Tanker Broker Arrested in Greek Coastal Town

Recently, Erik Roveta, a 47-year-old Italian tanker broker, found himself in hot water in the picturesque coastal town of Varkiza, Greece. The stunning seaside setting of Varkiza, located just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city of Athens, became the unexpected backdrop for the apprehension of Roveta, who was accused of leading an international criminal network involved in oil trafficking worth a staggering $21bn in Latin America.

The International Arrest Warrant and Interpol Red Notice

The Venezuelan authorities had long been on the hunt for Roveta, with an outstanding international arrest warrant hanging over his head. It was no surprise when Greek police officers from the Attica Security Directorate swooped in to arrest him at his lavish mansion in Varkiza. The arrest came after a red notice issued by Interpol, at the behest of Venezuelan authorities, highlighted Roveta’s alleged involvement in the illicit oil trade.

The Intricate Plot of PDVSA-Cripto

The criminal network, spearheaded by Roveta, operated under the guise of legitimate shipping companies, loading oil products from Latin American ports in a scheme known as PDVSA-Cripto. The operation involved the acquisition of satellite devices and ship identification systems to evade detection in Venezuelan ports. The network even went as far as procuring satellite and identification devices from decommissioned ships in Asian ports, placing them on their tankers, and deactivating the devices during transport to deceive charterers.

Legal Proceedings and Possible Extradition

Following his capture, Roveta faced the prosecutor in Athens, where the wheels of justice began to turn. Despite a previous arrest in Dubai and subsequent release, Greek authorities assured that their investigation was thorough before apprehending Roveta. Now, he faces judicial proceedings in Greece and the looming possibility of extradition to Venezuela to answer for his alleged crimes.

Expanding the Scope of the Investigation

The PDVSA-Cripto scandal came to light in March 2023, implicating key former Venezuelan government officials and over 20 businessmen in illegal oil sales. Transparency Venezuela, an NGO, delved into the case and revealed that 53 individuals were under investigation, with 12 facing arrest warrants. The recent arrest of an Argentine citizen, Jorge Germán Bonelli, further fuelled the investigation, as he was allegedly linked to the Maduro regime and a corruption network involving high-ranking Venezuelan officials.

As the investigation unfolds, more details are likely to emerge, shedding light on the intricate web of corruption and deceit that spanned continents and involved individuals from various walks of life. The arrest of Roveta in the idyllic coastal town of Varkiza serves as a stark reminder that crime knows no borders and can infiltrate even the most serene of locales.