Dismantled an organization that transported cocaine from the Netherlands to Morocco through Melilla
The Spanish Civil Guard, in the so-called Bergantes operation, has dismantled a criminal organization based in the provinces of Melilla, Barcelona and Granada that transported cocaine from the Netherlands to Morocco. In total, 21 people have been arrested and almost 59 kilos of cocaine and 186 kilos of hashish have been seized, as well as effects valued at more than 3.6 million euros.The investigation began when the agents detected a vehicle suspected of transporting and introducing drugs into Melilla through the port. When the agents intervened in the car, they discovered 15 kilograms of high-purity cocaine in a false bottom in the trunk. The criminal network was led by two brothers, one settled in Morocco and the other in Granada, who was on the run from the Moroccan judicial authorities for leading a drug trafficking organization. Together they had organized and deployed a process for obtaining and transporting cocaine and hashish through two structures.The first consisted of receiving the hashish from Morocco through high-speed or recreational boats. Once they reached the peninsula, it was transported by road in its “go fast” modality to its destination.The second structure began in the Netherlands and Barcelona, where they acquired the cocaine and sent it to Morocco through Melilla. In this way, the criminal organization financed itself to acquire cocaine with the profits it obtained from hashish trafficking in Morocco.
Dismantled a cocaine laboratory in Gélida
Up to 14 entries and searches have been made in homes located in Melilla, Granada and in the Barcelona towns of Martorell, Rubí, Terrasa and Gélida.In this last town, the Civil Guard located a laboratory with the necessary material for the reception, cutting, weighing and packaging of cocaine, as well as cash and a total of 43.7 kilograms of cocaine.
More than 3.6 million euros intervened
The Bergantes operation has ended with the dismantling of the criminal organization and its economic and financial structure, through which they bought vehicles and real estate that they put in the name of third parties to evade the action of justice. The appraisal of what was seized amounts to 3,635,000 euros, including up to half a million euros in seized cash. Among all the seized material, there are 38 vehicles, the blockade of property and real estate for a value of 653,500 euros and 49 bank accounts, numerous electronic material and last generation mobile phones, elements and substances for the preparation of the drug, 58, 7 kilos of cocaine, 186 kilos of hashish or a taser gun, among other effects.
Collaboration of the Special Intervention Unit
The leader brother who resided in Granada was surrounded by security measures and by people who acted as bodyguards.For his arrest and subsequent entry and search of the home, the Special Intervention Unit of the Civil Guard (UEI) collaborated. The investigators, after his arrest, verified that he used false documentation and that he had an international arrest warrant from Morocco.The 21 people arrested were brought before the courts for alleged crimes against public health, false documents and belonging to a criminal organization.
