Multiagency Sweep Targets Cross‑Border Drug Trafficking Network
A major cross‑agency operation cracked a large narcotics network that funneled drugs through key Spanish ports into major city markets. The Civil Guard, the National Police, and the Tax Administration coordinated the action, with initial reporting from Diario de Ibiza on August 24 and subsequent confirmations from law enforcement officials. The crackdown resulted in the dismantling of the organization and the arrest of numerous suspects across several locations.
Investigation activity centered on Madrid, Ankara, and Ibiza, culminating in the arrest of 42 individuals. Authorities carried out extensive entries and searches as part of the inquiry. The plan, identified in police channels under the Unagui banner, involved 32 entry points and searches. Seized items included 47 kilograms of cocaine, 143 cannabis plants, 46 kilograms of cannabis, 38 cannabis buds, and 347,000 euros in cash, along with quantities of ecstasy and other synthetic drugs, heroin, and related narcotics. Firearms and related gear, including 19 vehicles, 4 handguns, 3 long guns, ammunition in various calibers, air pistols, and brass knuckles, were recovered. The scale of seizures underscored a sophisticated trafficking pipeline with multiple distribution layers. The findings emerged in the Ibiza towns of Ibiza and Sant Josep, where coordinated arrests and searches began on a Wednesday, August 24. The Brisol building and several Sant Josep residences were among the targets, with 15 registrations uncovering cannabis cultivation sites producing 1000 plants. In addition to 18 kilograms of dried cannabis buds, authorities intercepted thirteen kilograms of cocaine concealed in a car that arrived at the Ibiza port from Madrid by ferry. The operation also captured a variety of other narcotics, including ecstasy and designer drugs, signaling a broad supply chain in play. In total, the operation disrupted ten drug shipments and seized substantial quantities of cocaine, cannabis products, ecstasy, and related substances, along with 178,000 euros in cash and 11 vehicles. Earlier batches tied to the same operation had already been blocked in the weeks prior, some destined for the Balearic Islands. These details reflect a coordinated, multi‑phase effort to disrupt a cross‑regional trafficking network. Authorities highlighted the rapid, layered approach that connected ports with inland distribution hubs to move narcotics toward major urban centers.
During the early stages of the investigation, police linked disparate but related operations to a single criminal network with ties between Madrid and Ibiza. The network relied on importing narcotics through international ports and distributing them to Madrid before moving to Ibiza. Investigators noted the use of stolen or altered vehicles and shipments that included mislabeling or misdirection in packaging. They also found that the group owned extensive assets, including marijuana plantations, multiple warehouses, chalets, and apartments where large sums of cash and narcotics were stored. The operation was planned in phases, beginning with large consignments entering Ibiza and spreading to other locations. One notable case involved a package containing seven kilograms of cocaine, 35 kilograms of cannabis, and twelve cannabis units. Police traced the narcotics route to identify entry points at ports such as Algeciras, where cocaine shipments were found hidden inside containers like pineapples, while other substances were produced within Spain, including cannabis and hashish farms. The investigation underscores how the network balanced international sourcing with local processing and distribution to sustain drug flows into the archipelago and beyond. The inquiry remains active as authorities map the full scope of the network and pursue additional suspects.
In many respects, the Ibiza Madrid corridor reveals a sophisticated cross‑regional trafficking scheme that relied on legitimate channels to move narcotics. The coordinated actions across jurisdictions demonstrate a strong response to organized crime and the economics of drug distribution. The operation shows how law enforcement can unite resources to disrupt supply chains and reduce the movement of illegal substances across borders and islands, with ongoing investigations aimed at identifying further links, assets, and collaborators within the network.