• In the records, a total of 164 kilos of cannabis buds, 183 kilos of chopped buds and cannabis plant and 2 kilos of cannabis resin (hashish) have been seized.

• A person identified as responsible for the criminal action

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 a warehouse industrial of 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 intercepted shipments was one whose recipient was the main person under investigation in the operation.

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

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

During the action, the existence of a large number of hemp flowering tops (buds) in different formats that lacked any fiscal and health control was discovered. In total, 153 kilos of buds were seized, 183 kilos of chopped hemp plants, including buds, and 2.45 kilos of hashish resin. Likewise, numerous envelopes were found in the premises to package the buds and market them.

'Microgreenhouse' and various machinery in the warehouse

In addition, two cabins were found, one of them in operation, where an employee was sifting the sting for the production of hashish resin. In this same cabin, a 'microgreenhouse' was found, with small plants, special light for a plant greenhouse 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 dedicated to 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 attend to the plantation business, dryers and choppers and three greenhouses outside the industrial warehouse plot.

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

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

The operation has been 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 person investigated, the gender involved and the rest of the actions have been made available to the Investigative Courts of Llerena, for the alleged commission of crimes of smuggling and crimes against public health.