In a coordinated operation, national police forces detained an associate of a senior drug figure as part of an international pursuit. Seven more suspects were arrested, and two cocaine laboratories were dismantled in the Community of Madrid. The action underscores the crackdown on organized crime involved in large-scale drug trafficking and highlights the persistent threat posed by illicit networks that operate across borders. [Citation: National Police]
According to official reports released on a recent Saturday, all detainees have already been remanded in a temporary facility to face charges of founding a criminal organization in the southern part of the Community of Madrid. Authorities seized more than 150 kilograms of intermediate cocaine and about 20 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, in addition to four firearms, ammunition, and hydraulic presses used in the processing chain. The sweep also resulted in the closure of two cocaine laboratories located in Villanueva de la Cañada and El Álamo. This seizure illustrates the scale of the operation and the sophisticated setup of the criminal group. [Citation: National Police]
Among those detained are two individuals identified as cooks or chemists, including a Colombian national who was taken to an internationally recognized laboratory. A European arrest warrant issued by Italian authorities for similar offenses was cited as part of the procedural framework. Police sources confirmed that the person in question is Jairo HCM, born in 1954 in Colombia. The capture of key operatives signals the disruption of crucial nodes within the drug supply chain and provides insight into the professional background of those involved. [Citation: National Police]
The investigative phase began last February when investigators learned of a criminal organization engaged in drug trafficking with a clear territorial footprint in the southern Madrid region. The initial intelligence gathering focused on identifying the group’s leadership, its recruitment channels, and the logistics network that sustained the illicit operation. The surveillance established that the organization had a defined hierarchy and a division of duties designed to maximize profit while evading law enforcement. [Citation: National Police]
Authorities confirmed that the organization maintained extensive logistics and a documented command structure. Base cocaine was imported from Colombia by sea or air, then transferred to two concealed laboratories in Madrid. There, controlled chemical processes were applied to transform the base material into cocaine hydrochloride, prepared for distribution and eventual consumption. This multi-stage production workflow demonstrates the level of sophistication typical of criminal networks operating at scale in the region. [Citation: National Police]
From the laboratories, the processed drugs were transported to various locations across Spain using vehicles outfitted with hidden compartments and heated spaces to conceal the contraband during transit. The operation spanned months of meticulous investigation and coordination between multiple judicial and police units to map routes, timing, and distribution points. The persistence of the case reflects a concerted effort to disrupt supply chains and reduce the availability of illicit substances on the street. [Citation: National Police]
Following months of data gathering and cross-checking, investigators coordinated with the Investigation Court No. 5 of Móstoles to pinpoint one laboratory located in a chalet in Villanueva de la Cañada, followed by another chalet acting as a logistics center in Alamo. The latter locale served as a hub where two cooks oversaw distribution operations and the logistics personnel managed the flow of the illegal goods. The sequential discoveries illustrate how the criminal network operated across residential properties to stay under the radar while maintaining production and distribution capabilities. [Citation: National Police]
As the case unfolded, authorities described a carefully planned operation that balanced on-the-ground surveillance, financial tracing, and collaboration with international partners to secure extradition and seize assets. The arrests, seizures, and laboratory closures represent a significant setback for the organization and provide a sharper understanding of its methods. The investigation continues as authorities pursue further lines of inquiry related to money laundering, supply chain management, and potential collaborators beyond the Madrid region. [Citation: National Police]