Joint operation by the Tax Agency and the National Police

• A detailed analysis of the so-called 'hot routes' of drugs led to the detection of a container from South America

February 27, 2023.- Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency, in a joint operation with the National Police, have seized in Malaga more than 600 kilograms of cocaine camouflaged among bananas from a shipment originating from South America.

Research groups have been working for months on a detailed study of the so-called 'hot routes'; That is, those areas that would presumably be used by criminal organisations to introduce narcotic substances in containers. Earlier this month, a comparative analysis of different shipments and incidents in the distribution chain raised the suspicions of investigators regarding a container, so a joint effort was established to proceed with its inspection.

Upon opening the equipment, it was confirmed that more than 600 kilos of cocaine were hidden among the legal merchandise transported, the market value of which would exceed 21 million euros, and it was seized.

This action is a major blow to international organisations engaged in the international transport of cocaine that operate in our country taking advantage of international trade operations in goods, and that introduce large quantities of narcotic substances at the source and extract them at the destination taking advantage of the existing commercial structure.

The actions carried out, together with the effects and merchandise seized, have been made available to the Court of Instruction on duty for incidents in Malaga.