Civil Guard eliminated a criminal network Accused of trying to smuggle more than 6.5 tons of cocaine hidden in banana containers from South America through the port of Algeciras In an operation that resulted in (Cádiz) 13 detainees.
During the so-called ‘Squid’ operation, searches were conducted at several houses in Algeciras, Málaga and Castellar de la Frontera (Cádiz) and two industrial warehouses in Algeciras and Antequera (Málaga), the Armed Institute said in a statement. ) where was intervened around one and a half million euros in cash, a few tools, watches of high economic value and a large number of electronic devices used by the organization to prevent a possible police investigation.
The operation began last October 2022, when investigators identified a criminal organization. The boss is considered the main one drug dealers cocaine based in Malaga in Spain. His lieutenant in Campo de Gibraltar belonged to a prominent family residing in the town of Castellar de la Frontera, who used the wholesale frozen fish company in Algeciras to hide the proceeds from his illegal activities.
According to the Civil Guard, the organization was introduced Large quantities of cocaine in sea containers from South America and “the connivance of public officials” were tried to be ensured in order to enable safe delivery of cocaine.
HE modus operandi consisted of transporting shipments of cocaine in Banana containers from Colombia and Ecuador, to the port of Algeciras. After being removed from the port facilities and heading towards the legal destination, he was diverted to the shipyard where he was located. changed palettes containing cocaine For those identical with the legal banana trade.
Frustrated shipments in Colombia
In December, the organization used a container of bananas leaving the port of Turbo (Colombia), whose final destination is Algeciras. However, while the ship was passing through the port of Cartagena (Colombia), the container was inspected and intervened by the authorities of that country. 3,000 one kilo of cocaine pills about each
In a second attempt, the drug smugglers tried to send another shipment of cocaine from the port of Cartagena to the port of Vigo. The organization’s aim was to extract cocaine when the container arrived at the port of Algeciras and was transferred to a nearby maintenance ship. This second shipment was once again blocked by the intervening Colombian authorities. 1,250 kilograms From the same item in the port of Cartagena.
During the month of May, More than 4 tons of cocaine seized by the police authorities, the organization insisted on bringing the cocaine from the port of Algeciras in a new shipment from the port of Guayaquil (Ecuador) to prevent another possible seizure in Colombia. Upon the container’s arrival in Algeciras, investigators confirmed how an establishment’s truck driver removed the container and left the port area for a warehouse located in an industrial area in Antequera (Málaga).
Before the contraband is unloaded, agents enter the ship and 2 thousand 296 kilograms of cocaine hidden between pallets of bananas, 7 people were arrested. Investigators also conducted various entrances and searches of the homes of the main members of the organization. approximately one and a half million Euros in cash, different luxury vehicles, watches with high economic value, as well as a large number of electronic devices to prevent a possible police investigation.
233 million euro worth of drugs
As a result of this operation, multiple 6,500 kilograms of cocaine worth more than 233 million euros in the illicit market and about one and a half million euros in cash. The investigation was conducted by the Algeciras Command in collaboration with the Civil Guard Central Operations Unit (UCO) and Europol.
Other agencies, such as the US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Special Border Protection, the Colombian National Police’s (DIRAN) Anti-Narcotics Directorate, and Latvian officials participated. Finally, during the exploitation phase, there was Special Response Unit (UEI) and Civil Guards Rapid Action Group (GAR) support for the enforcement of breaking and searching homes and warehouses.