A major bust targeted a Castellón-based criminal organization suspected of cultivating marijuana on a large scale and smuggling cannabis. In a coordinated effort led by civil guards, 31 alleged members were arrested across Spain, with ties to public health crimes and electricity fraud. The operation, described by the armed institute in a Monday release, marks a significant strike against a structured network that built its activity around illegal cannabis production.
Cities involved in the arrests include Castellón with 17, Tarragona with nine, Valencia with two, Navarra with two, and Barcelona with a single arrest. Authorities also conducted searches in 21 properties—15 in Castellón, five in Tarragona, and one in Valencia—where a substantial quantity of illicit material was found. The seizure included 10,676 cannabis plants and 69 kilograms of cannabis buds, along with more than 5,000 euros, a pistol, related documents, and a collection of advanced gadgets and storage devices tied to the operation.
Estimates place the market value of the cannabis smuggled by this organization at 100 million Turkish lira and 1 million euros for the period under review. Additionally, investigators assessed a fraud value tied to electricity supply at around 750 thousand euros, underscoring the breadth of the network’s illicit activities.
The inquiry began in 2022 after authorities identified a settlement linked to Albanians suspected of forming a criminal network in the town of Oropesa del Mar, Castellón. Subsequent observations indicated that none of the Albanians involved were engaged in legitimate business activity. A Spanish real estate agent was found to be connected to the group, functioning as a facilitator and logistics partner who adapted real estate support to criminal needs. This included manipulating electricity meters to defraud power and convert properties into viable facilities for illegal marijuana cultivation.
Law enforcement eventually mapped more than 31 members within the organization. A notable case involved an Albanian couple whose home served as a planning hub for plantations. The network operated with a clear hierarchy, assigning roles to recruiters, intermediaries, plumbers, managers, and lookouts. Once settled, the group installed equipment and began planting cannabis, with several members working in enclosed spaces where doors and windows were kept shut. New recruits were brought in to monitor and protect the fields, often relying on third parties for sustenance within cramped interiors surrounded by cannabis plants.
To date, the police investigation has produced a substantial body of evidence suggesting potential crimes related to organized crime, public health violations tied to drug trafficking, and electricity fraud. The investigation has faced challenges due to the organization’s endogamy, mobile membership, frequent residence changes, and deliberate concealment of plantation sites and counter-surveillance measures designed to dodge detection.
The operations under the Masías umbrella were conducted by the Castellón Information Group, with support from the Information Office. The Valencia Region Information Division, the Information Group of Navarra and Tarragona Commands, and units from Barcelona and Zaragoza contributed to the effort, along with USECIC, the Cinológico Group, and the Citizen Security components of the Judicial Police and the Castellón Command. The case remains open, and authorities acknowledge that further arrests may follow as the inquiry progresses.
Sources from the Armed Institute and related judicial authorities emphasize that the Masías operation reflects a coordinated, cross-regional approach to dismantling organized drug cultivation and the associated infrastructure. The ongoing investigation continues to explore all avenues, including possible links to real estate networks and other support services that enable this illicit enterprise to function with a level of sophistication uncommon in ordinary cannabis operations. The goal remains clear: to disrupt the network’s ability to operate, confiscate assets, and bring all involved to justice, while safeguarding public health and the integrity of essential services.
Attribution: information compiled from official statements and investigative summaries issued by the Armed Institute and regional authorities. Further updates will be released as authorities advance the case and additional evidence comes to light.