48 people arrested, 4 tonnes of cocaine seized as part of Spanish drugs investigation
The gang are accused of smuggling cocaine from South America using a 'sophisticated maritime infrastructure'.
Almost 4 tonnes of cocaine were seized
48 people have been arrested as part of a major operation against the largest drug trafficking gang in the Canaries.
29 homes were searched across the Canary Islands, with 3.8 tonnes of cocaine seized.
6 properties, 69 vehicles, including 19 boats and speedboats, and €100,000 in cash were seized.
Almost 4 tonnes of cocaine were seized
News in 90 Seconds - 6th June 2025
The operation came following months of investigation into the network, who introduced cocaine from South America to the European Union by using a 'sophisticated maritime infrastructure'.
The gang owned 11 speedboats that were used repeatedly, departing from strategic points in the Atlantic Ocean to a mother ship transporting the cocaine.
After loading the drugs onto the speedboats, the suspects dropped them off in the Canary Islands, ready for distribution.
The gang used satellite terminals, hard-to-trace phones and a coded language to as part of a 'complex' encrypted communications system to evade police.
The investigation was carried out by police from Portugal, Colombia, the UK and the USA.
Europol also assisted in the investigation, providing analytical and financial support.
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