Police investigators are examining whether the operation formed part of an organized supply chain trafficking the highly prized Mediterranean red coral. During inspections aboard the vessel, authorities seized quantities of protected red coral, diving equipment, specialized cutting tools and storage compartments allegedly used to conceal the harvested specimens. Although domestic legislation provides for the licensing of commercial red coral harvesting, authorities say the system has effectively been dormant for years. In practice, no active licenses are currently in force, meaning any extraction of red coral from Greek waters is considered illegal. The case has also revived longstanding concerns over reports that, in previous years, Greek-issued coral harvesting licenses were allegedly transferred in practice to foreign vessels -primarily those with Italian interests – through subcontracting arrangements.