The National Police conducted a sweeping operation that led to ten arrests, targeting a criminal network dedicated to the production and distribution of cocaine from a concealed laboratory in Madrid. The group, described as a structured organization, operated with the aim of supplying narcotics across several provinces, including Madrid and Toledo, while maintaining an illicit network there to support their activities.
All the individuals apprehended in the operation were men. They faced charges for public health violations and were identified as members of a criminal organization. Authorities highlighted that the gang’s leader concealed his identity by using the documents of a relative, a tactic that allowed him to avoid immediate legal action while remaining at the helm of the operation. The information was released by the Madrid Police Headquarters as the investigation progressed.
The operation culminated in mid-December, following extensive work by investigators who executed ten arrests and conducted an equal number of search warrants. Law enforcement officers intercepted elements of the narcotics supply chain, including a press used to compact blocks of cocaine and a vacuum sealing machine employed to preserve the product during transport and storage.
In addition to equipment, authorities recovered significant cash and illegal materials: €165,000 in cash, 6.5 kilograms of powder cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of marijuana, more than 100 grams of additional cannabis products, and about 2.3 kilograms of substances used to adulterate drugs to increase potency. These seizures underscored the scale of the network and its methodical approach to laundering, concealing, and distributing illegal drugs.
The gang operated a mobile and logistical framework that included transportation and property holdings to support its illicit operations. The structure facilitated the movement of cocaine from a private laboratory center within Madrid to multiple distribution points across the surrounding regions. From there, the drugs reached buyers in both urban centers and outlying areas, following routes designed to minimize detection and maximize profit.
Investigators confirmed that cocaine production took place inside a clandestine laboratory located in Madrid. After processing, the products were hidden in several houses scattered across different locations, a practice described in police jargon as distributing through multiple “kindergartens” to complicate tracking by authorities. From these stash points, the narcotics were then routed to Madrid and Toledo, enabling a steady stream of supply for the local market.
The operation also revealed that the organization was not a loose network but a tightly run operation with a clear chain of command. The individual at the top managed the scheme while masking his legal footprints through forged or borrowed identities, which are a common tactic among organized crime groups seeking to evade surveillance and arrest.
Authorities continue to analyze the seized assets and the financial trails associated with the group. The investigation aims to identify all collaborators, suppliers, and distributors connected to the network, as well as to dismantle any auxiliary operations that may still be active. The ongoing process emphasizes the commitment of law enforcement to disrupt drug production and distribution networks and to bring those responsible to justice, safeguarding the health and safety of the community.