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Date Published: 31/01/2023

ARCHIVED - Spanish police shut down most active international drug ring in Europe with arrests in Malaga

ARCHIVED ARTICLE -

740 kilos of cocaine was seized during raids in Andalucia and Madrid

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Spanish police shut down most active international drug ring in Europe with arrests in Malaga

A major international drug trafficking operation has been taken down in a joint sting involving National Police in Spain and Colombia and US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The "powerful" criminal organisation was involved in the trafficking of large amounts of cocaine, and during raids in Malaga and Madrid, 740 kilos of the drug was seized. Five vehicles, a firearm, bulletproof vest, 50,000 euros and 30 mobile phones were also confiscated.

Nine people have been arrested, three in Malaga and six in Aranjuez, Madrid, including several 'high-value' Europol targets.

The investigation, in which the French and Swedish authorities also collaborated, was launched in April 2021 as part of an international fight against drug trafficking.

As a result of close collaboration with the Colombian National Police and the US HSI agency, Spanish police learned that the main members of one of the most active criminal organisations in Europe were based on the coast of Malaga, and had been for more than 20 years.

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The network was made up of individuals from Sweden, France and England, with contacts in South America, as well as in the countries of destination, mainly Belgium, Holland and Spain.

In addition, those investigated were "priority targets for the authorities in their respective countries and High Value Targets for Europol" including a known member of the Dutch 'Mocro-Mafia'.

During the probe, police became aware of several meetings between these international contacts and other individuals involved in bringing drugs into the country.

There were also "numerous trips" to other European countries and to Dubai, and last November, investigators learned of a cocaine shipment that had allegedly been brought into Spain.

Those in charge of distributing the drugs travelled in two vans to a farm on the outskirts of Aranjuez, Madrid, where police swooped.

In a statement, the National Police said: "After 20 months of investigation, and as a result of the nine arrests made, one of the most active and powerful criminal organisations dedicated to international cocaine trafficking in Europe has been completely dismantled."

Other news: WATCH: Marbella motorway comes to a standstill as 50 euro notes litter the road

Image: Policia Nacional

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