Raúl Moreno Carazo, one of Europe’s most sought Spanish drug traffickers, was tracked to a luxury apartment in northern Bogota after fleeing Spain, according to Colombian authorities.
Brigadier General José Luis Ramírez Hinestroza, head of Criminal Investigation and Interpol relations, noted that Moreno, aged 45, was the subject of a red notice for drug trafficking at the time of his capture.
The Forensic Police and Investigation Directorate stated that Moreno belonged to a transnational crime network that specialized in smuggling cocaine, concealed in fruit shipments, from Colombia to the port of Valencia and then distributed across Spain and the European continent.
Attack on a truck driver on Silla Road
Colombian authorities indicate Moreno fled Spain in October 2020 after realizing his activities had come to the attention of Spanish authorities.
Valencia was identified as a key destination in the operation to recover 1,861 kilos of cocaine shipments that were connected to Moreno’s network.
The police report describes how drug traffickers used a trusted driver at a shipping company to redirect a container to a designated point in Valencia on 16 June 2020 and remove the cocaine stash there.
When the driver failed to appear that day, another individual filled in, unaware of the original plan and following an alternate route laid out by the traffickers.
As reported by lift-EMV, a drug seizure tied to the Prensa Ibérica group occurred at the Silla runway service area after employees witnessed a confrontation with the truck driver and prompted authorities to inspect the container. A reluctant driver faced attempts to coerce him into handing over the cargo, which ultimately did not proceed as planned.
Raúl Moreno Carazo, widely recognized as one of Europe’s most wanted drug traffickers, was captured after an investigative operation in Bogotá’s Chicó neighborhood. The operation involved collaboration between Colombian law enforcement and international agencies. More details were shared through official channels, underscoring the ongoing international effort to dismantle the network.
– Justice EL TIEMPO (reported on social media)
The rescue operation reportedly fell short of recovering the entire cargo, with the authorities pursuing leads as officers traced the path of the shipments. Moreno allegedly moved toward his destination to finalize the distribution when authorities tracked and intercepted the operation at a gas station, narrowly preventing a delivery. The incident highlighted the complexity of smart container shipments and the risks tied to freight logistics in international trafficking rings.
Civil Guards later inspected the cargo and confirmed that the 1,861 kilograms of cocaine were camouflaged within bags of pineapple juice. In the wake of this operation, Moreno fled Spain and sought refuge in Colombia in October 2020.
The investigation led to the identification and detention of four members of the organization, including three linked to Valencia Port container shipping operations. International cooperation between Colombian law enforcement and Spanish authorities ultimately contributed to Moreno’s capture in a luxury apartment in northern Bogota, marking a significant milestone in the joint fight against organized crime.