In a joint operation, the Spanish National Police and the Guardia Civil have dismantled one of the most active drug trafficking organisations operating in the Campo de Gibraltar area.
The operation, which culminated in the arrest of 14 individuals, involved 22 residential raids across the towns of La Línea de la Concepción (Cádiz), Cártama, and San Pedro de Alcántara (Málaga), as well as Almería.
Large-scale drug smuggling operation
The dismantled organisation was primarily engaged in smuggling large quantities of cocaine and hashish into Spain using recreational boats. Once the boats reached the coast, other members of the group were ready to offload the drugs and transport them in vehicles to storage locations, known as “guarderías,” for later distribution. The organisation had also developed a logistical network to supply fuel to the boats continuously, not only for their own operations but also to support other allied groups.
Criminal activity extended beyond drug trafficking
During the investigation, authorities also uncovered a subgroup within the organisation specialising in vehicle theft and ram-raids targeting gold, electronics, and phone stores in Málaga and Cádiz. This subgroup was linked to the theft of six vehicles and five burglaries within a short time frame.
Seizures and arrests
This final phase of the operation follows more than a year and a half of investigations, which allowed authorities to identify all members of the criminal organisation and their specific roles. The investigation led to the seizure of 4,848 kilograms of hashish, 410.6 kilograms of cocaine, 100 grams of MDMA, and 525 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, three Zodiac-type boats, 24,775 litres of gasoline, 17 vehicles (13 of which were stolen), and over €95,000 in cash were confiscated.
In total, 33 people have been arrested, and 13 more are under investigation as part of this extensive operation against one of the most prolific drug trafficking networks in the region. The arrested individuals face charges including drug trafficking, membership in a criminal organisation, vehicle theft, and possession of ammunition.