National Police agents in Cox carried out a coordinated operation aimed at dismantling a drug trafficking network. The investigation led to three men, aged 38, 39, and 44, who were initially identified as suspects in offenses related to drug distribution. Investigators later confirmed that these individuals had been using a warehouse located on an industrial estate as a cover for cultivating illegal crops, specifically a sizeable marijuana plantation. The development marked a shift from typical street-level trafficking to a more organized supply chain that exploited commercial infrastructure for illegal gains.
The Orihuela National Police Station spearheaded the inquiry after receiving diverse information from specialists within the narcotics division. This data, gathered through multiple channels, prompted a thorough inquiry into a retail marijuana operation that had raised concerns within the local community. The investigative team cross-checked tips and relied on the expertise of officers trained in dismantling sophisticated drug networks, building a case that pointed toward a well-structured cultivation operation rather than isolated, casual activity.
Initial probes focused on a warehouse on an industrial site where early signs suggested a controlled environment suitable for large-scale plant growth. Local and regional investigators, drawing on their past experience in similar operations, verified the credibility of the information received. The preliminary findings revealed irregular activity during the night hours and early morning, with intermittent movement inside the facility. Some ventilation components showed signs of alteration, including extractor pipes that emitted the distinctive odor associated with cannabis cultivation, consistent with a planned, phased cultivation model.
As the surveillance continued, authorities grew confident that the facility housed a hydroponic cannabis operation operating on a staged cycle. The warehouse appeared to be a hub of production, with indicators pointing to a multi-phase setup that adapted to market demands while maintaining concealment within a legitimate industrial space. A controlled and methodical approach was evident, with investigators noting consistent patterns of activity that aligned with the routine maintenance and scaling typical of an organized grow operation.
Following the deployment of covert surveillance and tracking devices, the operation shifted from observation to active disruption. The investigation culminated in the arrest of two additional suspects, both sharing the same nationality as the initial defendants, and the detention of a police officer who faced accusations related to involvement in illegal cultivation and its dismantling. This phase of the operation underscored the complexity of rooting out corruption and criminal networks that intertwine with legitimate business environments, especially within industrial zones commonly used for manufacturing and storage.
According to case records, authorities identified two separate cultivation sites within the warehouse complex. A total of 721 cannabis plants, in an advanced stage of growth and maturation, were seized along with approximately 900 kilograms of processed or harvest-ready product. The quantity highlighted the scale of the operation and the economic implications of the hidden trade running parallel to legitimate industrial activity. The seizure demonstrated the authorities’ capacity to trace illicit cultivation through careful documentation, coordinated raids, and precise extraction of evidence from the scene.
Three individuals were taken into custody and subsequently handed over to the local Guard Investigation Court in Orihuela. The arrests reflected a collaborative effort among national police divisions, regional enforcement units, and judicial authorities to disrupt the supply chain, safeguard the community, and deter future exploitation of industrial spaces for illegal drug production. The case continues to unfold as prosecutors review the evidence and pursue charges related to drug trafficking, cultivation, and related offenses against those detained during this operation.