Lorraine Williamson
In a significant blow to international drug trafficking, the Guardia Civil and the Ertzaintza have dismantled a criminal organisation responsible for importing and distributing large quantities of cocaine from South America to Spain’s northern regions and other European countries.
The operation, codenamed “Ergu,” led to the arrest of 13 individuals and the seizure of 28 vehicles, a sailing vessel, and over 600 kilograms of cocaine.
Illicit workshops in Madrid
The network operated from two clandestine workshops located in Fuenlabrada and Parla, Madrid. Here, they engineered sophisticated hidden compartments within vehicles, capable of concealing up to a tonne of narcotics in trailer trucks. These modified vehicles were then used to transport cocaine to various destinations across Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Germany.
Maritime routes and seizure in Cantabria
Expanding their smuggling operations, the organisation utilised a sailing vessel stationed in the port of Laredo, Cantabria. Furthermore, this boat was instrumental in ferrying cocaine from South America to the northern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Moreover, the vessel’s seizure underscores the traffickers’ diverse methods in circumventing law enforcement.
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Operational capacity and concealment techniques
Investigations estimate the syndicate had the infrastructure to import and transport up to six tonnes of cocaine annually throughout Europe. Their concealment methods were notably advanced; in one instance, accessing a hidden compartment required the vehicle to be running, the glove compartment open, and specific dashboard vents adjusted to trigger a concealed hydraulic system.
Timeline of Operation “Ergu”
The investigation commenced upon detecting potential maritime arrivals of substantial cocaine shipments to Spain’s northern shores. Further scrutiny revealed the group’s connection to a sailing vessel intercepted in August 2023, approximately 30 miles off the coast of Santander, carrying 2,200 kilograms of cocaine. Following this interception, the organisation heightened its security measures, remaining dormant for nearly a year. However, activity resumed mid-2024, with the group altering its smuggling routes to Portugal’s coastline.
Arrests and additional seizures
In December 2024, authorities intercepted a motorhome in Robliza de Cojos, Salamanca, containing 600 kilograms of cocaine sourced from Portugal. This led to the arrest of the organisation’s leader, a trusted associate, and the vehicle’s driver. Subsequently, searches in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa uncovered additional narcotics, cash, documents, and luxury vehicles, one equipped with a hidden compartment. Further operations resulted in five more arrests and searches in Castro Urdiales (Cantabria), Jaén, and Bizkaia. In Jaén, agents discovered advanced communication equipment, including satellite antennas and specialised phones, used to coordinate with maritime vessels and facilitate drug landings.
This comprehensive operation was overseen by the Investigative Court No. 2 of Laredo and the Special Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office of Cantabria, with collaboration from Portugal’s Polícia Judiciária.
Also read: Spain is experiencing a significant increase in cocaine smuggling