Joint operation by the Tax Agency and the National Police

• The main person responsible for receiving the drugs once they arrived in Spain has been arrested

• The network was specialized in hiding the narcotic substance inside large-tonnage industrial machinery exported in maritime containers.

January 26, 2023.- Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency, in a joint operation with National Police agents, have seized 266 kilos of cocaine hidden inside industrial machinery from Colombia and have arrested the main person responsible for receiving the drug once it arrived in Spain. The network was specialized in hiding the narcotic substance inside large-tonnage industrial machinery that was exported in maritime containers.

The investigation began in early November last year through data collection in Colombia within the framework of the Maritime Security Project (SEACOP). The first investigations began when the agents learned of the shipment, by a criminal organization, of a cargo container from the Port of Cartagena (Colombia) to Barcelona. Inside the container was a high-pressure water-cleaning machine in which narcotic substances could be hidden.

Scanner inspection

Following the arrival of the cargo, investigators carried out an initial inspection using a scanner, thanks to which they were able to detect numerous packages distributed throughout the interior of the industrial structure. Given the obvious suspicions, the agents opened and dismantled the machinery, with the collaboration of the GOIT (Technical Intervention Operations Group), and found 266 packages of cocaine hydrochloride inside, each weighing one kilo.

With all the information gathered, the agents were able to follow the trail until they reached the company in charge of receiving the cargo, located in Gerona, where they arrested the main person responsible.