In Galicia, a major operation targeting a drug trafficking network led by individuals based in Vigo unfolded this morning, with 13 prisoners being brought before the city’s No. 1 Investigation Court. The court is coordinating closely with the Pontevedra Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office to oversee the case, and the three suspects who were aboard the ship off Tenerife gave testimony via video link on Tuesday before being remanded in prison. The proceedings mark a significant step in a long-running investigation into a well-connected criminal enterprise in the region.
Arrests were carried out across multiple locations in Galicia as part of the ground operation run by Civil Guard agents. Vehicles from law enforcement lined up near the Vigo Court headquarters on Calle Lalín, where investigative courts remain in operation, and proceedings continued into the morning hours. Judges were expected to hear additional statements throughout much of the day as part of the ongoing judicial process and the collection of evidence tied to this network.
The operation, officially named Sugar Brown, resulted in the seizure of approximately 3,300 kilograms of cocaine that had been transported on the now-impaired vessel. Vigo emerged as a key node in the network, with four detainees linked to the city and its surrounding areas playing a central role in the distribution scheme. Among those detained near the Olívica area are individuals identified only by initials, including JRR, PGF, MNA, and MMG. These suspects range in age, with several in their 60s or older, and carry histories of prior or ongoing legal matters beyond drug trafficking offenses, underscoring the network’s deep ties within the region’s criminal landscape.
As evidence accumulates, investigators highlight the persistence of an international route for African drug trafficking that has grown more entrenched within powerful Galician groups engaged in maritime smuggling of multimillion-dollar shipments. This development underscores the ongoing challenge for regional authorities as they dismantle networks that rely on established routes, corrupt alliances, and sophisticated logistics to move large quantities of illicit cargo across borders. The case illustrates how local criminal organizations interact with broader international trafficking routes, reinforcing the need for sustained cross-border cooperation, intelligence sharing, and robust legal action to disrupt these operations at multiple points along the supply chain, from port authorities to onshore distribution hubs. The judicial process continues to unfold as prosecutors and investigators work to consolidate the evidence against those detained and to pursue additional lines of inquiry connected to the network’s leadership and financial infrastructure.