Spanish Police Arrest 20 in Major Madrid Cocaine Lab Bust
On April 30th, the Spanish Civil Guard, in collaboration with Europol and the U.S. DEA, carried out a significant operation near Madrid, dismantling a major cocaine laboratory. This joint effort led to the arrest of 20 individuals linked to a network involved in extensive international drug trafficking.
Operation Details
During the operation, authorities seized 21 drums containing chemicals used for processing cocaine. Authorities conducted searches across 27 properties in Pontevedra, A Coruña, and Madrid, which led to the seizure of €3 million in cash and €10 million in assets, including luxury homes and vehicles.
Smuggling Network Exposed
Investigations revealed that the suspects, primarily Spanish nationals with one Colombian, employed leisure ships to smuggle cocaine and coca leaves from South America. They utilized sophisticated methods to transport these illegal cargoes to Europe, including advanced hidden compartments in vehicles for distribution throughout the EU.
Maximizing Profits Through Local Production
To enhance their profit margins, the criminal organization operated a cocaine processing lab on the outskirts of Madrid, converting raw coca leaves into cocaine. On the day of the raids, large quantities of various drugs were seized, indicating the scale of their operations.
Intelligence and Analysis
Europol played a crucial role in developing intelligence on the trafficking activities of this Spanish criminal organization. This operation highlights a growing trend in drug trafficking that processes raw materials within destination countries to minimize losses during transportation and police seizures.