Joint operation of the Tax Agency, Civil Guard and National Police

• The operation, carried out in Madrid and on the island of Ibiza, has resulted in the arrest of a total of 42 people
• 32 searches have been carried out with the seizure of 50 kilos of cocaine, 143 of hashish, 46 of marijuana, 38 of buds and 347,000 euros in cash, as well as different quantities of ecstasy and other synthetic drugs, as well as heroin and cutting substances.
• The members of the criminal network used 'heated' vehicles and used parcel services to transport the drugs.

September 2, 2022.- The Tax Agency, the Civil Guard and the National Police, in a joint operation, have dismantled a criminal organization dedicated to importing large consignments of drugs from abroad through of Spanish ports. The operation, carried out in Madrid and on the island of Ibiza, has resulted in the arrest of 42 people.

Likewise, 32 entries and searches have been carried out, in which 47 kilos of cocaine, 143 of hashish, 46 of marijuana, 38 of buds, 347,000 euros in cash have been seized, as well as different quantities of ecstasy and other synthetic drugs, in addition of heroin and cutting substances. Four short weapons, three long weapons, different caliber cartridges, various edged weapons and brass knuckles, in addition to 19 vehicles, were also seized.

The operation began last year, when police forces were carrying out independent operations against drug trafficking that ended up converging into the same investigation.

In the course of the investigation, it was possible to determine the existence of a criminal network that operated in Madrid and Ibiza, with all its members interrelated. The 'modus operandi' consisted of importing large quantities of narcotic substances from abroad through Spanish ports. Once in national territory, the drugs were transported to Madrid, and from there to the island of Ibiza, using 'heated' vehicles, as well as parcel shipments with false affiliations.

To carry out the criminal activities, the alleged perpetrators had numerous warehouses, chalets, apartments and storage rooms, where they hid important marijuana plantations, large amounts of money and other types of narcotic substances.

Madrid: shipments of cocaine hidden in pineapples

The operation has been divided into several phases. Firstly, in August of last year, a large package was intercepted upon entering the island of Ibiza, containing seven kilos of cocaine, 35 kilos of hashish and 12 kilos of marijuana.

As a result of coordination between police forces, it was possible to determine the route of the narcotic substance.

The organization, on the one hand, introduced drugs through ports such as Algeciras, where shipments of cocaine hidden in pineapples have been seized, and to this was added the indigenous production of other substances, such as marijuana and hashish.

Continuing with the investigation, a new seizure of a narcotic substance occurred early last month. It was 13 kilos of cocaine hidden in a vehicle with a double bottom at the ferry entrance in Ibiza.

In the last intervention, on August 24, 17 homes in Madrid were searched, arresting 16 people. 10 kilos of cocaine, 35 kilos of hashish and three marijuana plantations were seized. Also, four short firearms, three shotguns and other knives, as well as 163,000 euros in cash, eight vehicles and luxury watches.

Ibiza Island: ten drug sales points dismantled

On the island of Ibiza, searches were carried out in the towns of Ibiza and San José, and 26 people were arrested. In the 15 searches carried out, three marijuana plantations with 1,000 plants were dismantled and 18 kilos of dried buds were seized.

In addition, ten drug sales points were dismantled, in which various amounts of cocaine, hashish, ecstasy, pink cocaine and other designer drugs were seized. In addition, eleven vehicles and 178,000 euros in cash were seized. In this same operation, 31 kilos of cocaine, 35 of hashish and 20 of marijuana buds had already been seized in previous weeks when they were going to be introduced into the Balearic archipelago.