A Civil Guard operation dismantled a specialized drug trafficking network that distributed contraband drugs and tobacco using electric scooters. The group operated primarily in the Seville province but had a branch in Alicante, with a total of 26 people detained. The organization presented itself as a pharmaceutical supermarket, selling a wide range of items while concealing illicit activity. To avoid checks, traffickers arranged home deliveries and used minors riding electric scooters. They also coordinated through instant messaging groups to warn each other of police presence and implemented extensive safety measures to reduce risk of capture.
The branch responsible for trafficking clonazepam, a prescription drug commonly diverted to street users, operated from Alicante and was then sent to Morocco where the street price increased significantly. The drug was reportedly mixed with other substances and distributed under the guise of legitimate pharmaceutical products. A newer substance, karkubi, emerged as an additional risk, described as a cannabis-related product that complemented the operation. Karkubi was reported to affect the central nervous system, potentially causing hallucinations and behavioral disturbances among users, raising serious health concerns for the community.
The operation began last month when Civil Guards linked a vehicle in the Sanlúcar la Mayor area of Seville to a string of arrests and criminal activity. In efforts to evade authorities, the suspects attempted to flee during a police checkpoint. One driver attempted to accelerate away and was subsequently apprehended after a pursuit that underscored the danger posed by the organization.
The criminal network was based in Pilas and extended to Aznalcázar and Aznalcóllar, two other Seville towns in close proximity. They maintained multiple distribution points across the region and abroad, creating a web that made oversight and enforcement more challenging. The Sanlúcar la Mayor Court of First Instance and Instruction authorized 17 entries and searches across Seville and Alicante. The searches recovered 430 clonazepam tablets, 200 grams of cocaine, heroin, marijuana buds, hashish, shredded tobacco, and 6,700 packs of various tobacco products. Authorities also found firearms, precision scales, and substantial cash amounting to 20,000 euros, along with a vehicle and a scooter suitable for rapid distribution. The operation involved around 200 Civil Guards from the Seville and Alicante Commands, including members of the Rapid Action Group GAR and the Reserve and Security Group GRS number 2, underscoring the coordinated effort required to disrupt such a network and recover the seized items for further analysis and judicial processing.