25 people arrested from a criminal organization for laundering millions of euros from drug trafficking in Spain
The Civil Guard and the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency have arrested 25 people who formed a criminal organization dedicated to trafficking hashish and cocaine and laundering millions of euros in drug money. This operation, dubbed “Erytheia-Dolmen,” culminated this week with some 30 raids on various properties in Almería, Málaga, Granada, and Alicante.
Two years of investigation have led to the dismantling of this organization, which laundered millions of euros. Authorities have seized properties valued at €6,110,000, nearly one hundred vehicles, close to one hundred bank accounts, six companies, more than a ton of hashish and 20 kilos of cocaine, as well as numerous weapons, jewelry, Christmas lottery tickets, and almost €100,000 in cash.
It was in September of this year that the entry of a shipment of more than a ton of hashish onto a beach in the municipality of Adra (Almería) was thwarted. On that occasion, four members of the organization were arrested, three of whom were imprisoned.
A submachine gun, nine handguns, two rifles, a taser, and a bulletproof vest are among the weapons found in the 30 raids carried out this week. Nearly €100,000 in cash, numerous watches and jewelry, and 150 Christmas lottery tickets were also found, along with money counting machines and documents related to money laundering operations. In addition, drugs were seized, preventing their distribution: 20 kilos of cocaine, 35 kilos of hashish, and 13 kilos of marijuana.
Three farms, two recreational properties, an industrial building, a luxury villa, five commercial premises, two duplex apartments, and 12 urban and agricultural properties were seized, with a combined value exceeding €6.1 million. During these operations, nearly one hundred vehicles and boats worth €1 million were also seized, along with six companies in the agricultural, hospitality, and commercial sectors. Furthermore, almost 100 bank accounts at 13 different institutions were frozen by court order.
All those arrested and the seized items have been turned over to the judicial authorities. They are accused of money laundering, drug trafficking, and belonging to a criminal organization. Further arrests are possible.
More than 150 officers from the Civil Guard and Customs Surveillance participated in this operation. Units from the Civil Guard included the Judicial Police, the Rapid Action Group, the Reserve and Security Group, detection dogs from the Canine Service, and helicopters from both agencies.
