ATHENS 

A Greek prosecutor ordered an investigation into 16 coast guard officers on allegations of theft from drug traffickers, media reports said Friday.

The Investigation by a prosecutor from the Piraeus Maritime Court was initiated to determine if the officers committed the thefts, as they were accused by four individuals suspected of drug trafficking, according to the Kathimerini newspaper.

They accused the officers of stealing money and valuables worth €28,000 ($28,662), during home searches conducted without the presence of a judicial authority representative, as required by law.

The officers face charges of theft by joint enterprise and breach of duty, the daily noted.