A national police operation dismantled a criminal network accused of smuggling cocaine from Ecuador by air. Twelve individuals were arrested across Madrid, Menorca, and Murcia. In Madrid, several local residents were identified among the detainees. One of the detainees in Alicante province, known locally as “Flashlight,” has a prior conviction for leading a group that trafficked cannabis packed in shoes to Europe.
Seven of the detainees associated with the nickname “Torch” were placed in temporary detention centers as members of a broader network that planned to hide drugs inside luggage at Madrid airport. The operation yielded 70 kilograms of cocaine newly imported from Ecuador, 155,000 euros in cash, three firearms, an electric immobilizer, telecommunications gear, and tracking devices. The cocaine packages seized in the suitcases bore an NBA logo and a distinctive mark for identification.
Police records indicate that the operation was centered in a chalet known as “El Lantern” in the Alicante area of Cañada del Fenollar. There, investigators recovered ammunition and items linked to marijuana distribution. This property had already been targeted in a prior operation in 2022. The coordinated effort involved the GRECO Levante unit of the Civil Guard, the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Team (EDOA), and Customs authorities.
Investigation
The latest phase of the investigation, which again touched the “Lantern” operation site, revealed a Spain-based organization with a presence in multiple provinces. It was described as highly structured and hierarchical, possessing the financial capacity to fund periodic cocaine imports.
According to authorities, the primary method involved concealing cocaine in suitcases during air travel, allowing the cargo to bypass routine baggage checks both at departure and arrival, thereby entering Spain, a country known for illicit drug production and transit.
Initial inquiries focused on Minorca, where one of the organization’s lead coordinators resided. After several attempts, officials confirmed extensive personal networks connecting contacts in various cities, including Vigo and Alicante. These connections typically converged in Madrid, where members gathered to plan importation and subsequent distribution of the narcotics.
The organization was led by a Spanish national with considerable financial resources and a broad network capable of smuggling suitcases containing drugs into the main producing countries. The leader coordinated with criminal groups based abroad and maintained the ability to bypass checks designed to detect illicit cargo entering the country.
The operation’s leadership reportedly established links with Ecuadorian criminal groups and managed the process of concealing suitcases for entry into Spain. The reception circle in Spain involved two operatives, one in Menorca and another in Vigo, responsible for organizing the handover and the distribution of the payloads.
During the reception phase for the 70 kilograms of cocaine, other participants played supporting roles to ensure secure handling and distribution. They traveled in luxury vehicles with the intention of moving the suitcases to other areas of Spain for final dispersion of the narcotics.
As a result of the operation, twelve individuals were arrested—ten in Madrid, one in Murcia, and one in Menorca—with the Civil Guard assisting. Authorities confiscated 70 kilograms of cocaine recently imported from Ecuador, 155,000 euros in cash, three high-end vehicles, three firearms, an electric immobilizer, and telecommunications and positioning equipment. These findings reflect the scale and sophistication of the network, underscoring the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to disrupt cross-border drug trafficking and dismantle the infrastructure that supports it. (Source: Civil Guard GRECO Levante, EDOA, and associated agencies)