National Police and Civil Guard officers combined forces in a coordinated operation that led to the dismantling of a Spanish-Albanian criminal network involved in international narcotics trafficking. The arrest of 26 individuals and the seizure of illicit substances valued at over 3 million euros mark a significant breakthrough against organized crime in the Murcia and Alicante regions.
The months-long investigation, carried out by units specializing in drug trafficking and organized crime, traced the core of the organization to collaborators based in the Murcia area and the town of Torrevieja. The group was engaged in the large-scale purchase of cannabis and cannabis resin, which was concealed and camouflaged within cardboard packaging for later distribution to various destinations in Germany.
Inside the hierarchy of the organization, certain members were responsible for sourcing sizable cannabis consignments from cultivators. A subset of ethnic Albanian individuals, with a residence in Alicante and nearby towns, managed operations on the ground, coordinating logistics and supply chains to ensure a steady flow of product toward the international market.
Most of the narcotics were stored in Barcelona after collection, awaiting discreet shipment abroad. The mailings were carefully structured so that the senders and recipients appeared fictitious, a strategy to obscure the true origins of the cargos in the event of enforcement actions.
As the investigation progressed, judicial authorities granted search warrants which allowed the seizure of 16 properties across Murcia, Torrevieja, Alicante, and Barcelona. The operation culminated in the arrest of 26 individuals, including 13 principal organizers who were remanded in custody pending trial.
In the seized assets, authorities recovered about 500 kilograms of cannabis seeds that were neatly packaged and ready for distribution, along with another quantity of cannabis material. The list of confiscated items also included heroin and cocaine, nine vehicles used for trafficking, and cash totaling more than 70,000 euros, all instrumental to sustaining the criminal enterprise and its international reach.
The successful operation showcases a joint commitment to disrupting drug networks that span multiple provinces and cross national borders. The coordinated effort between national police and civil guard units demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative policing in confronting organized crime and protecting communities from the harms associated with narcotics trafficking. The ongoing investigation continues to pursue leads and dismantle remaining links in the network, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward to support ongoing prosecutions and asset recovery efforts.