Cocaine smuggling network from Brazil to Europe via Spain broken up
A criminal organization involved in transporting large quantities of cocaine from Brazil to Europe, using a network based in Malaga, Spain, has been dismantled by the Spanish Civil Guard in collaboration with Europol, the Portuguese Judicial Police, and the Brazilian Federal Police.
The operation led to the arrest of 24 individuals and the seizure of over 800 kilograms of cocaine, 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, 60 kilograms of hashish, 116,680 euros in cash, and five firearms, among other items, according to a statement by the Guardia Civil.
Seven properties and twelve high-end vehicles worth 2.5 million euros were seized in Spain, along with 48 bank products.
The criminal network operated through independent cells, each headed by a delegate responsible for specific functions.
They concealed the drugs received from Brazil in the coastal city of Malaga and transported them in vehicles with hidden compartments to the Basque Country and Cantabria in northern Spain.
From there, the narcotics were further distributed to European countries.
The investigation began in June 2022 when the Spanish authorities identified a Brazilian citizen, who was wanted for his alleged involvement in a murder case, as the intermediary coordinating drug distribution in Malaga.
The authorities also discovered the presence of two high-ranking members of the organization, one from the Brazilian Military Police and the other from the Brazilian Army, who had met with other network members to organize a new cocaine shipment through Portugal.
Cooperation among the Guardia Civil, Europol, and the Portuguese and Brazilian police resulted in the seizure of a container containing 320 kilograms of cocaine concealed in frozen açai fruit at the Port of Sines in Portugal.
This led to the arrest of three individuals of Brazilian origin.
Further operations were carried out in Brazil and Spain, culminating in the arrest of additional network members and the confiscation of drugs and stolen goods.
The successful dismantling of this multi-country criminal network highlights the effectiveness of international collaboration in combating drug trafficking and organized crime.
This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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