• A total of 164 kilos of cannabis buds, 183 kilos of chopped cannabis buds and plants, and 2 kilos of cannabis resin (hashish) were seized during the searches.

• A person has been identified as responsible for the criminal act

September 7, 2023.- The Tax Agency and the Civil Guard, within the framework of the joint operation 'Marijuana Trafficking', have dismantled a cannabis production and marketing center in an industrial warehouse in Azuaga (Badajoz).

The operation began in March of last year 2022, after the intervention by the Regional Customs Surveillance Area of Madrid, in a courier company in Coslada (Madrid), of two kilos of marijuana buds. Among the shipments seized was one whose recipient was the main suspect in the operation.

As a result of this initial investigation, it was found that the suspect was the administrator of a company in Extremadura that was trying to give an appearance of legality to a possible illegal activity carried out from an industrial warehouse in Azuaga.

After the operation was launched last August, it was discovered that the aim was to simulate the existence of a nursery, greenhouse and industrial hemp drying business, where in reality there was a drug trafficking business.

During the operation, the existence of a large quantity of hemp flowering tops (buds) in different formats that lacked any fiscal or sanitary control was discovered. In total, 153 kilos of buds, 183 kilos of chopped hemp plants, including buds, and 2.45 kilos of hashish resin were seized. Numerous envelopes were also found on the premises for packaging the buds and selling them.

'Micro-greenhouse' and various machinery in the warehouse

In addition, two booths were found, one of them in operation, where an employee was sifting the hashish for the production of hashish resin. In this same cabin, a 'micro-greenhouse' was found, with small plants, special lighting for plant greenhouses and a refrigerated chest into which the resin was introduced once its manipulation was finished.

A room was also found in the warehouse, in which there were three employees, who at the time of the intervention were engaged in weighing and packing the buds, preparing and preparing different orders.

In addition, various machinery was discovered, such as weighing and press machines, as well as three 3D printers, machinery to serve the plantation business, dryers and choppers and three greenhouses outside the industrial warehouse plot.

After the intervention, it was found that these facilities were the site of the entire production and marketing process for cannabis products, from the cultivation and reception of the flowers (buds) to their manufacturing, packaging, chopping, and pressing for marketing. The entire process for marketing other cannabis-derived products, such as hashish and resin, was also carried out.

Days after the operation, two shipments of approximately 11.1 kilograms of marijuana buds were seized at a courier company in Llerena, the recipient of which was the main suspect in the operation.

The operation was carried out by the Regional Operational Unit of the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency in Extremadura, the Badajoz Operational Unit, with the collaboration of different units of the Civil Guard.

With the incriminating evidence, the main suspect, the seized goods and the rest of the actions have been made available to the Llerena Court of Instruction, for the alleged commission of crimes of smuggling and against public health.