Else Beekman
The Guardia Civil has uncovered a clandestine tunnel connecting Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. This discovery is a pivotal development in the ongoing ‘Operación Hades’, aimed at dismantling sophisticated drug trafficking networks operating across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Guardia Civil officers found the tunnel beneath an abandoned warehouse in Ceuta’s El Tarajal industrial estate- An area near the Moroccan border. The criminals reinforced the passage with wooden supports and equipped it with a lighting system. Furthermore, with a length of approximately 50 metres the tunnel descends to a depth of 12 metres. Its dimensions allowed individuals to transport large bundles of hashish from Morocco into Spain undetected.
The warehouse had been closed for several years and is located near the border post that leads to a ravine connecting Ceuta with Moroccan territory. Investigators had gathered evidence of the existence of this “stash,” prompting them to deploy Subsoil specialists from Madrid and the GAR, the elite unit of the Guardia Civil, on Tuesday. The operation commenced early Wednesday morning, causing alarm among workers and residents in the area. At this time, no new arrests have been made.
Operation Hades
Launched over a year ago, ‘Operación Hades’ has been instrumental in targeting criminal organisations responsible for smuggling substantial quantities of hashish from Morocco into mainland Spain. To date, the operation has resulted in 14 arrests, including two Guardia Civil officers and a local deputy. Authorities have also seized over 6,000 kilograms of hashish concealed within three lorries, each modified with hidden compartments to evade detection.
Details of the tunnel’s construction
Authorities had long suspected the existence of such a tunnel. Especially, after intercepting large drug shipments in mainland Spain without corresponding seizures at Ceuta’s port. The tunnel’s construction showcases the ingenuity of these criminal networks. An ingenuity that bears similarities to those used by cartels along the US-Mexico border. Its discovery highlights the lengths traffickers will go to circumvent border security measures.
Implications and ongoing investigations
Among the authorities, the unearthing of this tunnel is raising pressing concerns about potential security breaches. furthermore, they worry about the extent of corruption facilitating such operations. The involvement of law enforcement officers and a political figure accentuates the pervasive reach of these criminal enterprises. As ‘Operación Hades’ progresses, authorities anticipate further arrests and revelations.
Also read: Police dismantle “narco-drone” network smuggling drugs between Morocco and Spain