Lorraine Williamson
In a coordinated international operation, Spanish police have broken up a large drug trafficking network that was smuggling marijuana from Spain to Ireland, hidden in animal feed sacks.
The action, carried out with the collaboration of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Ireland’s Garda Síochána, resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals—13 in Spain and one in Ireland.
The criminal group, which included British, Irish, and Spanish nationals, had been operating since 2019, sending regular shipments of marijuana to the UK and Ireland. Their method was both clever and audacious: large pallets of animal feed were used to hide marijuana buds, a tactic that allowed them to avoid detection by customs officials. These shipments, mainly dispatched from Spanish ports, were carefully prepared and packaged before leaving the country.
Seizing assets and uncovering evidence
The investigation, which began in January 2025, led to a series of dramatic police raids across Spain, in Madrid, Málaga, and Seville. During these operations, authorities seized nearly €100,000 in cash, 630 marijuana plants, a semi-automatic pistol, three detonators, and a variety of luxury vehicles, including high-end cars and watches valued at over €200,000.
Simultaneously, Spanish officials froze over €2 million in assets, including both movable and immovable property, and financial holdings linked to the criminal activity. These extensive measures reflect the scale of the operation and the significant financial network behind it.
A long-running operation with serious impact
Investigators believe the group had been trafficking over three tons of marijuana between 2019 and 2025, smuggling an estimated 300 kilograms of the drug during the course of the inquiry. The Spanish Policia Nacional has successfully intercepted numerous shipments destined for the UK and Ireland, which not only disrupted the network but also stopped a substantial quantity of illegal drugs from reaching their destination.
An international crime bust
Further disrupting the network, Irish authorities conducted their own raid in the County of Louth, arresting one individual linked to the Spanish operation. The simultaneous international effort highlights the growing trend of cross-border criminal enterprises operating in the EU, with law enforcement agencies working together to tackle this issue head-on.
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This significant bust underscores the importance of continued international cooperation in combating drug trafficking. More arrests are likely as the investigation continues.