DrugsNews

16 people arrested in an international operation against drug trafficking

The operation has been carried out simultaneously in various locations in Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary and Slovakia

Agents of the Spanish National Police and the Dutch and Belgian Police, under the coordination of EUROJUST, have arrested 16 people, aged between 25 and 68, in an international action against a criminal network allegedly dedicated to the trafficking of drugs Those arrested introduced, through Spanish ports, cocaine camouflaged in fruit containers and distributed it in different European countries, mainly in Holland. The operation has been carried out simultaneously in various towns in Spain, as well as in the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary and Slovakia, where drugs, firearms and cash have been seized, proceeding to the seizure of dozens of cars.

In Spain, 17 searches have been carried out in homes and business premises or social headquarters linked to the organization in the Malaga towns of Mijas, Benalmádena and Torremolinos, and in Alicante. In the operation, the agents have confiscated 70,000 euros in cash and jewellery worth 400,000 euros, in addition to 22 vehicles, three motorcycles and a boat valued at 3,600,000 euros. Five simulated handguns, several chargers and a ballistic vest have also been intervened.

The head of the Central Court of Instruction 3, which has been secretly investigating this case since 2017 at the request of the Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office, attributes to those arrested, the majority of Dutch nationality, crimes of drug trafficking and money laundering within a criminal organization . The investigation is open and new arrests or seizures are not ruled out.

Joint Investigation Team

This international investigation has been possible thanks to the so-called Joint Investigation Team. The cooperation was carried out through EUROJUST, the European agency for cooperation in criminal cases. The Netherlands has asked the Spanish and Belgian authorities to hand over the arrested suspects.