Lorraine Williamson
Spanish National Police have dismantled an international criminal organisation in Marbella with links to the Mocro Maffia. During the operation, officers seized 873 kilograms of cocaine and arrested five individuals responsible for receiving the drugs.
A judicial order has been issued for their immediate imprisonment.
Operation leads to arrests in a Marbella shopping centre
The arrests took place in the car park of a shopping centre in Marbella, where the suspects were caught transferring the drugs to a van. Inside the vehicle, police found 759 tightly packed parcels of cocaine.
The investigation began in August 2024 as part of the Southern Plan, an international law enforcement initiative against drug trafficking. In collaboration with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), authorities focused on a criminal network suspected of transporting large quantities of cocaine from Ecuador to Spain.
Smuggling cocaine through the Port of Algeciras
The gang used shipping containers to smuggle drugs into Spain, routing them through the Port of Algeciras. This method allowed them to reduce costs and maximise profits. Intelligence-sharing efforts confirmed that a container arriving from Ecuador was contaminated with cocaine. Investigators identified the individuals responsible for receiving the shipment, confirming the group’s links to the Mocro Maffia.
Further surveillance established that the criminals used the Costa del Sol as a meeting point. Several members travelled from different parts of Europe to finalise logistics for distributing the drugs in Spain.
Police interception in Marbella
As the suspects headed towards Marbella, officers observed them using two vehicles: a van carrying the drugs and a high-end car acting as a scout vehicle.
Police intervened as the traffickers attempted to transfer the drugs. Five men were arrested, and a search of the van revealed 759 tightly packed cocaine parcels weighing a total of 873 kilograms. The suspects were immediately remanded in custody.
Further seizures and international arrest warrants issued
In addition to the cocaine, officers seized €5,690 in cash, 12 mobile phones (some encrypted), and three luxury vehicles. Authorities have also issued three international arrest warrants for other members of the organisation, including a key logistics coordinator who remains at large.
EU-funded operation with Europol support
The operation was carried out with the collaboration and support of Europol, under the European Union’s Internal Security Fund (ISF). This initiative focuses on:
- Strengthening future security measures
- Combating emerging threats
- Protecting European citizens from organised crime and terrorism
- Building a robust European security framework
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) and EU agencies fund coordinated operations to dismantle criminal networks and their business models. The Marbella drug bust was co-financed by the EU as part of its broader strategy to combat organised crime and safeguard European citizens.
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