In a coordinated action, authorities from national and European agencies including the National Police, the BKA in Germany, the FIOD of the Netherlands, Europol, and Eurojust led a cross border crackdown spanning Alicante and Malaga in Spain, along with operations in France, the Netherlands, and Romania. The target was a transnational crime group involved in drug trafficking and money laundering, using high end heated vehicles to move cash and illegal substances like cocaine and heroin. Cash proceeds and vehicles were specially adapted to conceal large sums, enabling the illicit operation to operate at a transnational scale [Source: Police Coordination].
The ringleaders were traced to the Costa del Sol towns of Altea, La Nucía, Marbella, and Mijas. In these communities they maintained a lavish lifestyle while deliberately staying low profile to avoid attracting attention from authorities or curious neighbors.
The Spain based network moved substantial sums of money and drugs by couriers or via concealed compartments in luxury cars. The operation culminated in the arrest of 22 individuals, with six apprehended in Marbella and Mijas, and 37 searches carried out across Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Romania. Authorities seized 2.6 million euros in cash, 1.3 kilograms of heroin, and more than 55 kilograms of cocaine, along with dozens of luxury items and vehicles used to support the trafficking system [Source: Police Coordination].
The head of one branch of the organization, a Dutch-Turkish national who had settled in the Altea region, managed to avoid capture during the takedown. An arrest warrant was issued, and police later registered properties in La Nucía and Altea linked to this individual [Source: Police Coordination].
Investigation
Investigations began in August 2021 after investigators received information about a large international crime network involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. Early intelligence pointed to a branch led by the Dutch-Turkish contact based in Altea, who oversaw cocaine and cannabis trafficking and helped launder profits through the network on a continental scale [Source: Police Coordination].
The inquiry revealed that members procured narcotics in Spain by exploiting heated vehicles for distribution to European markets via established land routes. The network effectively linked Spain to broader European trafficking corridors, moving shipments and cash across borders.
Given ongoing cross border links, information gathered was shared with Europol to identify overlaps with other European investigations. The joint effort highlighted the role of the organization in moving large sums of money derived from drug sales using high quality heated vehicles, with networks in play across multiple countries including France and Germany [Source: Police Coordination].
In February 2022 Madrid hosted an international coordination meeting among the National Police, Dutch Police, Nice Police in France, and Germany’s BKA. The meeting led to a decision to pursue a joint investigation under Eurojust, culminating in a formal JIT arrangement to coordinate operations across France and the Netherlands.
The inquiry established the very high standard of living enjoyed by the criminals, who resided in upscale residences in Altea and Marbella, traveled in luxury cars, and wore expensive watches and jewelry. Yet they maintained discretion, moving quietly through social circles and avoiding noticeable scrutiny from authorities [Source: Police Coordination].
ID
With the network mapped, authorities scheduled a coordinated operation at the end of March under the Eurojust led framework. The takedown involved 37 searches across Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Romania. One key target, the courier who had sent funds disguised as vehicle payments, was intercepted near the Spain-France border the day prior, with 594,140 pounds equivalent to 675,000 euros concealed beneath a high end vehicle fault veil [Source: Police Coordination].
Among the 37 search operations, nine took place in Spain with several addresses in Malaga, Alicante, La Nucía, and Altea being inspected. A joint team including officers from Nice Police, the Dutch FIOD, the German BKA, and an EUROPOL analyst worked in Spain to build parts of the case. Six organization members were arrested on the Costa del Sol under a sighting by the National Court, which ordered the detention of all key suspects and the seizure of large quantities of drugs and money. Authorities also seized 677,240 euros in cash, 55.6 kilos of cocaine, 1.3 kilos of heroin, three firearms, and several other prohibited weapons, along with 30 mobile phones, five vehicles, and numerous luxury watches valued at hundreds of thousands of euros [Source: Police Coordination].
Beverages worth more than one million
During a search of a detainee’s residence in the Netherlands, authorities confiscated about one and a half million euros in cash and a substantial stash of luxury items, including spirits valued at more than one million euros. Across the operation, 22 people were arrested—six in Spain, thirteen in France, three in the Netherlands, and Romania combined. The seizures included 2.6 million euros in cash, more than 55.6 kilograms of cocaine, 1.3 kilograms of heroin, and a range of valuables such as luxury watches and vehicles, reflecting the scale of the criminal enterprise. In addition, several firearms were recovered, underscoring the potential danger posed by the individuals involved [Source: Police Coordination].