In a coordinated operation, National Police forces moved into the province to disrupt a transnational drug trafficking network that used parcel posts to ship narcotics. The case centers on a 11 kilogram cache of gummy confections impregnated with 25N-NBOMe, a powerful hallucinogen colloquially known as La Bomba and used as an alternative to classic psychedelics. Investigators from the Specialized and Violent Crimes Unit (UDEV) in Torremolinos-Benalmádena targeted a ring with ties to Coín, Alhaurín el Grande, Cártama, and Málaga. Seven individuals were taken into custody as part of the crackdown.
Authorities began the probe after spotting a surge of suspicious deliveries. Envelopes and packages containing drugs were dropping into Correos locations in Benalmádena and Torremolinos, with some shipments traced to addresses abroad. With judicial approval, investigators opened 209 parcels containing a total of 1,762 grams of narcotics packed in various formats and presentation styles. A notable tactic involved disguising shipments with fictitious company logos and fake address information to appear legitimate. Many items bore counterfeit customs declarations printed on ordinary printers.
Shortly afterward, a further batch of 252 postings matched the same patterns, yielding 1,941 grams of hazardous substances and psychotropic substances. The materials included controlled substances that mimic the effects of MDMA, ketamine, cocaine, or mephedrone, but differ slightly in composition, placing them outside the official schedules of international narcotics conventions and complicating enforcement.
Leader
Law enforcement traced the leadership to a British resident based in Alhaurín el Grande. The individual organized collection of materials and coordinated several accomplices to distribute packages through mail corridors. Seven searches took place at various locations including homes, farms, warehouses, and facilities in Benalmádena, Cártama, Alhaurín el Grande, and Málaga. The operation led to seven arrests and the seizure of substantial quantities of contraband: 11 kilograms of marshmallow-like substances impregnated with 25N-NBOMe, 3,700 grams of other poisonous and psychotropic agents, more than two kilograms of cannabis, along with 1,065 grams and 500 milliliters of cutting agents. Investigative teams also recovered 900 euros in cash, a vehicle, computer equipment, multiple scales, packaging machinery, a press, and assorted shipping materials.
The authorities clarified that 25N-NBOMe, commonly referred to as La Bomba, is a hallucinogenic substance sometimes marketed as a substitute for LSD or mescaline, and it has been compared to MDMA. There are several variants of this drug, with some reports indicating that 25I-NBOMe can be the most potent and frequently encountered form. The physiological effects can endure for many hours, sometimes 12 hours or longer. The Torremolinas Investigation Court No. 1 continues to oversee the investigation, including the processing of an additional 126 envelopes awaiting action.
Public health authorities and information portals emphasize the risks associated with recreational use of these synthetic substances. They note that certain compounds described in public advisories may be phenylethylamine-based psychedelics that can be significantly more potent than traditional hallucinogens. The potential adverse effects include acute psychotic episodes, panic attacks, depersonalization experiences, and sleep disturbances. Ongoing investigations aim to clarify the prevalence and distribution channels, and to provide timely guidance to health services and the public.