The National Police in a major international operation disrupted a criminal network involved in importing large quantities of cocaine through South American routes and containers. The authorities cited the seizure of a substantial cocaine haul at the port of Algeciras in Cádiz, a key hub that enabled the organization to move drugs toward Europe. This action marked a turning point in counter-narcotics efforts and underscored the port’s role in cross-border drug trafficking. [Citation: National Police]
The force described the operation as one of the most significant blows against large-scale cocaine smuggling in recent years. In a formal briefing, investigators stated that the breadth of the seizure and the value of the assets seized sent a clear message to drug traffickers operating within and beyond Spain. The operation demonstrated the organization’s ability to adapt logistics and exploit legitimate supply chains to conceal illegal cargo. [Citation: National Police]
Officials explained that those under investigation benefited from a large, interlinked business structure that included customs brokers and freight forwarders. Their activities frequently involved importing goods from Ecuador, where legitimate shipments were used to camouflage the disposal of drugs in large volumes. The careful layering of operations concealed the illicit nature of the cargo and allowed time to move through multiple checkpoints without triggering scrutiny. [Citation: National Police]
According to the investigators, the network controlled the cocaine distribution process from its origin to its final destination in Europe, coordinating multiple links through a corporate-like framework. The scale of the operation suggested an organized leadership that managed procurement, storage, and distribution while maintaining plausible silence around financial flows and assets. [Citation: National Police]
The investigation has so far led to four arrests, including three members of a single family. Two suspects were apprehended in Algeciras, one in La Rioja, and another in Valencia. The alleged leaders and managers of the network faced charges that include drug trafficking, criminal organization, and money laundering. The police emphasized that the case remains active and further arrests could follow as inquiries continue. [Citation: National Police]
Law enforcement carried out up to eight searches at the headquarters of several customs-related businesses. The searches recovered 250,000 euros in cash, seven high-end vehicles, and extensive documentary and digital material tied to the criminal scheme. The seized items provided a clearer map of how the operation functioned and how profits were reinvested across different sectors. [Citation: National Police]
In addition to the immediate seizures, authorities blocked more than a hundred bank accounts linked to the detainees and placed a hold on properties, including houses, vehicles, and boats, with a combined value estimated around 5 million euros. This action aimed to disrupt the financial network that sustained the drug trafficking operation and to deter similar schemes in the future. [Citation: National Police]
Although the investigation is ongoing, officials indicated that new developments could lead to additional arrests at a later date. The case highlights how international criminal networks exploit legitimate commerce and logistics to move illicit drugs across borders, a concern that resonates with law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada, and Europe. [Citation: National Police]