A joint operation by the Tax Agency and the Guardia Civil

• The drug was detected in a postal package at the Foronda airport (Álava)
• One person has been arrested

February 23, 2023.- Officials from the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency and agents from the Civil Guard, in a joint operation, have arrested a person for introducing 1.5 kilos of ketamine impregnated in textile material and have dismantled the 'home laboratory' in Asturias where the narcotic substance was extracted.

The operation began on February 8, when officials from the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency in the Basque Country and agents from the Civil Guard, integrated into the Risk Analysis Unit of the Regional Customs and Tax Agency. from the Basque Country, detected a postal shipment likely to conceal a substance that could be a narcotic.

After carrying out the corresponding checks, it was determined that the package contained 1.5 kilos of ketamine, and that the drug was impregnated in a textile material. The package was destined for another point in the country and the sender intended to send it by postal delivery.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the shipment had been sent from Bangladesh and was destined for the municipality of El Berrón-Siero (Asturias). After coordinating the investigation with the Customs Surveillance Service and the Civil Guard of that demarcation, it was possible to identify the person who was to receive the shipment, a resident of the aforementioned province.

Finally, and with the required judicial authorization, on February 14 a series of actions were carried out that led to his arrest and being brought before the court for an alleged drug trafficking crime.

'Home laboratory'

After entering and searching the detainee's home, it was discovered that it was being used as a laboratory to extract the drug from the textile material in which it was impregnated. In the house, both tools for carrying out the process and 75 already treated towels were found, which indicates the exercise of a significant and ongoing illegal activity over time.

This action dismantles one of the entry routes for this type of drug both in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias and in Galicia, places where the drug is distributed.