Three men were taken into custody in connection with a narcotics operation tied to fake fishing boats docked at the port of Les Cases d’Alcanar in Tarragona. Authorities reported that a seizure of marijuana weighing 1,380 kilograms occurred on one of these vessels.
The detainees, aged 37 to 41, are accused of crimes against public health in the drug-trafficking variant and of belonging to a criminal organization, according to Generalitat Police on Thursday.
The sequence of events began on July 6 when Mossos d’Esquadra intercepted a suspicious landing near the Les Cases d’Alcanar fishing port at approximately 8:50 p.m.
42 bales
Inside the boat, investigators recovered a total of forty-two bales of marijuana, with a gross weight of 1,380 pounds (about 627 kilograms). The find prompted a formal investigation and the arrest of one group member two days later. This individual already had a prior record for drug trafficking.
Subsequent inquiries, conducted by the Amposta 2nd Investigation Court, led to the identification of two additional suspects who were believed to be involved and had no prior drug-trafficking convictions.
Wholesale distribution
According to authorities, the trio procured the drugs from Morocco, stored them in facilities described as “creches,” and organized wholesale distribution to other traffickers who then transported the narcotics to their final destinations.
The operation was led by a mastermind who coordinated the criminal activities, secured and supervised the boats, and delegated tasks to two aides who assisted with boat operations and other duties tied to the trafficking network.
The operation relied on feigned fishing activity for the boats to avoid detection by law enforcement, with police units noting that the vessels could appear legitimate but were not engaged in regular fishing. There were no fishing tools aboard, and the illicit cargo was hidden in warehouses rather than within standard fishing gear.
On October 3, investigators extended the inquiry to another location and arrested two more individuals. A residence in Els Muntells was searched during the operation, and authorities seized 42,500 euros in cash along with documents tied to the fishing boats under investigation and other related items.
Two of the three detainees were ordered held in temporary prison by the inquiry court, while the third was released pending trial, pending further legal proceedings and additional evidence gathering.