Lorraine Williamson
Twenty-seven people have been arrested in an operation spanning several regions of Spain and the Dominican Republic, with investigators blocking 95 properties, more than €1.3 million in cryptocurrency, and dozens of luxury vehicles.
The joint Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil investigation, coordinated by Europol, targeted what authorities describe as the Spanish branch of an international drug-trafficking structure with significant financial and operational capacity.
Of the 27 people arrested, 26 were detained in Spain and one in the Dominican Republic. Two are classified by Europol as High Value Targets.
The investigation is being directed by Spain’s Audiencia Nacional and the Special Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office.
Arrests across Spain
Fourteen people were arrested in Madrid, four in Ibiza, three in Almería, two in Málaga, two in León, and one in Pontevedra. Another suspect was arrested in the Dominican Republic. Police carried out 38 searches, including 19 in Madrid, 8 in Ibiza, 4 each in Almería and Málaga, and 1 each in Albacete, Mérida, and Pontevedra.
Portuguese Judicial Police also participated in the operation, while international cooperation led investigators to one of the organisation’s alleged senior figures at a luxury villa in the Dominican Republic.
Five international arrest warrants remain outstanding, and investigators say further arrests and police action are possible.
More than 1.5 tonnes of cocaine linked to investigation
The investigation began in September 2023 following analysis of encrypted messaging platforms used to arrange drug shipments to Europe. Investigators subsequently linked members of the alleged organisation to four cocaine seizures in Panama totalling more than 1,500kg.
Authorities say the network had established routes for importing cocaine from Colombia and Panama in shipping containers between 2020 and 2021.
Several methods were allegedly used to conceal the drugs, including the technique known as rip-off, in which cocaine is inserted into otherwise legitimate shipping containers without the knowledge of the exporter or importer.
Investigators believe the network was able to supply established criminal organisations operating in Spain.
Luxury property allegedly used to launder drug money
As investigators followed the money, they uncovered an extensive corporate structure allegedly designed to move proceeds from drug trafficking into the legitimate property market.
Companies linked to the suspects allegedly invested millions of euros in property developments, entire residential complexes and luxury homes, particularly in Madrid, Ibiza and Marbella.
Authorities say companies were used to conceal the true ownership of assets and introduce money believed to have come from drug trafficking into the legal economy.
Property investments connected with the network have also been identified outside Spain, including in the Dominican Republic and Dubai.
As part of the operation, authorities have blocked 95 properties, including 16 luxury villas, along with 200 movable assets.
€1.3 million in cryptocurrency blocked
The scale of the financial investigation extends well beyond property. Authorities have blocked more than 1.3 million USDT in cryptocurrency, as well as 26 bank accounts, three of which were based in Luxembourg, and more than 100 companies or other legal entities are being investigated. Officers also seized €271,521 in cash, 76,425 UAE dirhams and $1,175.
Forty high-end vehicles and two boats were seized, together with six firearms, including what the Interior Ministry describes as a weapon of war. Officers also recovered a silencer, prohibited weapons and more than 800 rounds of ammunition.
From laundering its own money to ‘crime as a service’
Investigators say the alleged organisation eventually developed such an extensive money-laundering infrastructure that it began offering its services to other drug-trafficking groups. The system allowed other criminal organisations to acquire and conceal assets through the network’s companies, according to investigators.
Authorities describe the model as “crime as a service”: the organisation allegedly generated money both from its own cocaine trafficking and from commissions charged for laundering the proceeds of other criminal groups.
The operation involved Policía Nacional, Guardia Civil, Europol, and international law-enforcement partners.
The investigation remains open, with five international arrest warrants still active and further arrests and seizures not ruled out.