[Shutterstock]
Five Turkish nationals have been remanded to prison after their court hearing on charges of felony drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.
Authorities allege the men were members of a Turkish mafia organization coordinating criminal activities including drug, arms and migrant trafficking in Greece and Spain.
During their hearing, the defendants denied the charges, claiming that the funds seized during a coordinated police investigation were legally earned and not linked to drug trafficking.
They also said they own businesses in Turkey and purchased their luxury villas in Greece through the Golden Visa program.
The men further asserted they face political persecution under the Erdogan government and had been granted political asylum in Greece.