Europol and Spanish police dismantled a massive drug trafficking ring, seizing six tons of cocaine and €6.5 million in cash.
The operation, launched in June 2022, revealed the network's international reach, involving criminals from Albania, Bulgaria, Colombia, and Spain. Europol said the group smuggled cocaine from South America to Europe, with Albanians based in Dubai financing the shipments.
Colombians managed shipments from the source, while Bulgarians and Spaniards handled distribution across Europe. Investigators uncovered the use of corrupt port workers to smuggle drugs out of containers under the cover of darkness.
In October 2024, authorities intercepted 4.1 tons of cocaine in Panama destined for Spain. Europol estimates the gang could move up to a ton of cocaine weekly.
Raids between December 2024 and January 2025 led to 22 arrests in Spain, 27 house searches, and seizures of luxury cars, jewelry worth €1.5 million, 48 weapons, and frozen bank accounts.
Europol noted the growing influence of South American cocaine networks in Europe and said its task force coordinated intelligence-sharing to bring down the operation. (TemA)
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