• Two people have been arrested and charged with smuggling, public health violations, and membership in a criminal organization.

• The merchandise came from Brazil and was destined for Alicante.

• 1,115 catalytic converters, cash, various electronic devices and various documents were seized.

May 27, 2025.- Customs Surveillance officers from the Tax Agency have seized 170 kilos of cocaine hidden inside vehicle catalytic converters from Brazil in Alicante. In addition, two people have been arrested on charges of smuggling, public health violations, and membership in a criminal organization.

The investigation began in early 2023, when the Smuggling Section of the Alicante Customs Surveillance Operational Unit detected imports of vehicle catalytic converters from Brazil, with their end-use in Alicante, which Customs Surveillance suspected might be contaminated with cocaine.

Once the data on these imports was analyzed, the focus was placed on one of the importing companies due to significant inconsistencies in its economic activity.

Thus, the operational phase of the investigation began, leading to the identification of the members of the alleged criminal group in the Alicante town of Callosa del Segura.

Business framework for import

Investigators located a series of industrial warehouses that could be used by the organization as a distribution center, as well as a business network through which these warehouses were allegedly rented and contaminated imports were carried out. Likewise, the directors and partners of these companies were identified as members of the criminal organization. These individuals were believed to be working for the organization's leader, whose whereabouts were unknown in South America.

At the beginning of April this year, the entry of a container from Brazil bound for Alicante was detected. The declared merchandise, catalytic converters, with characteristics similar to those of previous imports made by this organized group, aroused the suspicions of the Customs Surveillance Service's investigation group, so they decided to schedule the opening and thorough examination of the container.

The inspection of the merchandise, which was packed in large sacks containing approximately 100 catalytic converters per sack, took place on April 23. Using mechanical means, the interior of the catalytic converters was accessed and the existence of a significant amount of cocaine hidden inside several of them was verified. A total of 170 kilos of cocaine were found. Its market value could reach an amount exceeding five million euros.

The operation culminated in the arrest of two people involved in the incident and the seizure of cash during the raids and searches of the suspects' homes. In addition, 1,115 catalytic converters, several electronic devices, and various documents were seized.

The narcotic substance has been sent to the Health Department for analysis and determination of purity. The remaining seized items have been placed at the disposal of the competent judicial authority that is hearing and overseeing the investigation.

The operation is still ongoing, so further arrests of other members of the organized group are not ruled out.

The investigation was carried out by officers from the Smuggling Section of the Alicante Combined Customs Surveillance Unit.