Large drug trafficking network operating in Brazil, Paraguay and Spain dismantled
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Some 30 people were arrested this week in Brazil and Spain as part of an international police operation to dismantle a large drug trafficking and money laundering network with branches in several countries and which transported Bolivian cocaine to Europe, Europol (European Union’s law enforcement agency) announced yesterday.
The investigation – coordinated by the European police – involved the Brazilian Federal Police, the Spanish Civil Guard, Paraguay’s National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) and U.S. authorities.
As the agency in charge of facilitating anti-crime operations within the bloc explained in a statement, “the criminal organization was able to ship several multi-ton cocaine loads to Europe” every few months, thanks to a distribution network based in Spain.
DRUG TRAFFICKING: THE NETWORK STARTING IN BOLIVIA AND ENDING IN SPAIN
The investigation uncovered a production infrastructure in Bolivia, with logistics and supply lines in Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, Europol said.
Cocaine was shipped in maritime containers and communications were made via SKY ECC, an encrypted messaging system used by drug traffickers banned in 2021.
A network of companies was also created to enable the imports and money laundering.
The operation uncovered a distribution network in the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Valencia (east), in charge of receiving cocaine shipments and moving them into the European market.
Brazilian and Spanish authorities intercepted some of these shipments and identified several companies involved in the criminal network.
The investigation led to the seizure of drugs, vehicles, weapons, cash and blocked bank accounts.
As part of this investigation, Belgian, Brazilian, Italian, Dutch and Spanish authorities have seized 10 tons of cocaine and €1.85 million (US$2 million) since September 2020, said The Hague-based Europol.
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