National Police officers disbanded drug network

A drug trafficking organization based in the town of Roquetas de Mar has been disbanded by National Police officers. A total of eight people, of both Spanish and Colombian nationality, have been arrested.

During the seizure, 4.2 kilograms of cocaine, a handgun, ammunition, anabolic steroids, two cars, a night vision monitor, fifteen mobile phones, 3,000 euro in cash, and a collection of documents and materials believed to have been used by the criminal gang were recovered.

From Theleader.info:

The investigation, which began several months ago, focused initially on the ring leaders of the organization based in Almería, who would provide drugs to smaller time dealers who then sold the drugs directly to the public.

As part of the investigation, officers were able to identify two people who were at the very top of the supply chain, with contacts in Madrid, who in turn fed drugs to similar networks across Spain.

During the course of the investigation it was determined that the organization used so called “mules”, people posing as tourists who would travel to South America by air, to then return to Spain carrying the drugs.

On Christmas Eve, the gang attempted to smuggle 2.5 kilograms of cocaine into the country by this method, believing that there would be fewer checks by law enforcement agents. Officers based at Madrid-Barajas Airport intercepted the courier and arrested a Spanish citizen on a flight from Colombia, via Frankfurt, in which they seized the drugs, which were hidden in bags coated with tracing paper and foam and hidden inside a suitcase.

This operation was conducted by officers of the Drugs Unit and Organized Crime (UDYCO) from Almeria, in collaboration with the Narcotics Group of Madrid-Barajas Airport.