In a coordinated crackdown labeled Operation Cupid, the Civil Guard dismantled a criminal network involved in trafficking pink cocaine. The operation culminated with the arrest of nine individuals and the subsequent investigation of seven more, as authorities uncovered a sophisticated scheme that used 3D-printed decoys to conceal drugs and shipments that appeared to be ordinary gifts. The force emphasized that the impact extended beyond a single city, highlighting the reach of a group that moved narcotics through seemingly harmless packages.
The Civil Guard announcement framed the operation as a proactive response to a pattern detected earlier in the year. Beginning in February, investigators traced shipments traveling from Madrid to destinations in Colombia and Australia. These consignments were declared as gifts, a tactic designed to obscure the true purpose of the contents.
Within the shipments, illicit substances were concealed in counterfeit compartments. Underneath fake bottoms, agents found and seized MDMA and other drugs. A notable quantity of pink cocaine was spotted amidst the contraband, alongside more than 4,300 grams of MDMA and over 400 grams of various substances, including cocaine, TUSI, and ecstasy. The scale of the trafficking operation became clear as authorities pieced together the trafficking pathway and the methods used to evade inspection.
As the investigation unfolded, nine individuals were arrested, including a person referred to in investigative reports as the primary drug synthesizer and another who operated as a craftsman creating ornamental figures used to conceal drugs. These roles underscored the level of organization and the deliberate use of creativity to hide illegal activity.
Reviewing all shipments in February, investigators identified five additional consignments containing ecstasy and cocaine, each accompanied by items designed as Valentine’s Day gifts. Each package allegedly contained approximately 800 grams of illicit materials, illustrating a carefully staged supply chain linked to the celebratory packaging used to disguise the illegal contents.
Two searches were executed as part of the case: one at a Madrid office central to the operation and another at a warehouse located in Torrejón de Ardoz. The searches aimed to intercept further shipments and seize incriminating materials tied to the drug lab and distribution network.
Identities Investigated and Rejected
Authorities identified several women responsible for dispatching packages, along with young individuals of Colombian nationality who relied on public transportation to move between operation hubs. A common pattern emerged: multiple offices in the heart of Madrid produced the 3D-printed souvenir figures that, behind their harmless appearance, concealed portions of the drug payload. The substance known as pink cocaine was created by blending ketamine and MDMA with pink dye, a process reportedly managed by the group’s leaders who directed the rest of the crew from this central hub.
Following the process of identifying conspiracy members, nine suspects—five women and four men—were arrested, including those at the helm of the operation. In addition, seven individuals faced investigations for allegedly providing support to the drug lab, including rent and payment arrangements. The detainees were charged with crimes against public health, namely drug trafficking, and participation in a criminal organization. The operation was conducted by the Madrid Financial and Border Unit of the Civil Guard, with oversight and judicial coordination provided by the Investigation Court at Plaza Castilla No. 28.
Throughout the case, law enforcement stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation and the need for vigilance against networks that use everyday objects and gifts to disguise illegal activity. The inquiry emphasized how seemingly innocuous items and thoughtful packaging can conceal a much darker reality, and it highlighted the ongoing commitment of authorities to disrupt drug distribution chains before more harm could be done. The comprehensive seizure of substances and the arrest of key operatives illustrate the depth of the investigation and the seriousness with which the Civil Guard treats major narcotics operations and the safety of communities in Spain and beyond, as noted in the official statements and case records attributed to the Civil Guard press office.