DrugsNews

The Spanish Civil Guard dismantles a network on the island of Tenerife dedicated to introducing large amounts of hashish from Africa

The Spanish Civil Guard, within the framework of the Lamak operation, has dismantled a criminal network dedicated to introducing large amounts of hashish on the island of Tenerife from the African continent.

The criminal organization has been completely dismantled, with the arrest of 27 people, of Spanish and Moroccan nationality, and more than 9 tons of hashish and two inflatable boats have been seized.

In mid-2020, the first information was obtained about the presence of a criminal organization based in Tenerife with sufficient capacity to introduce large amounts of hashish.

With the progress of the investigations, it became known that the criminal network, made up of citizens of Moroccan and Spanish origin, had formed a strong structure to carry out these activities, having a high logistical capacity that allowed it to carry out landings of more than 1,000 kilos of hashish on a monthly basis anywhere on the coast of Tenerife.

Taken stash

For this reason, in March 2021 the Lamak operation began with the first apprehension of two vans that were transporting 3,500 kilos of hashish that had just been unloaded on a beach in the municipality of San Miguel de Abona.

At the end of May, with the progress of the investigation, the agents detected how the now dismantled group would be making preparations for the imminent arrival on the coast of Tenerife of a new consignment of narcotic substances, for which the services were established. opportune that allowed to detect the arrival to a beach of the municipality of Arico of a boat that transported 1,800 kilos of hashish.

Despite this, the members of the network continued their illegal activity, with a new attempt in August to introduce more than 2,000 kilos of hashish on the island, using a beach on the north coast of Tenerife. This attempt was again thwarted by the agents. On this occasion, two firearms with their corresponding ammunition were intervened, which the organization intended to send to Morocco.

The next day and as a result of observation and surveillance by the investigators, it was possible to intercept a van-type vehicle driven by the leader of the organization himself, who was about to start transporting the substances, specifically 1,800 kilos of hashish. that they were apprehended by the Civil Guard.

During the operation, more than 9 tons of hashish and 1.3 kg of cocaine have been seized, as well as two pneumatic boats, four outboard motors, three vehicles, thirteen firearms, seven short weapons, five Long rifle-type weapons and a single-shot artisanal firearm, as well as fundamental pieces of different types of weapons, four encrypted telephones, approximately 24,000 euros in cash, six GPS for navigation, and documentation related to the activity.

Likewise, the 27 members of the gang have been arrested, among whom is the leader of the organization, a Spanish citizen for whom there were up to five judicial requests for their search and entry into prison, as well as two citizens of Moroccan origin. experts in maritime navigation.

The investigation has been carried out by agents of the Territorial Team of the Judicial Police of Playa de las Américas and the Organized Crime and Anti-Drug Team (EDOA), belonging to the Organic Unit of the Judicial Police of the Command of the Civil Guard of Santa Cruz of Tenerife, which have had the support of Citizen Security units and other units of the Civil Guard.