• Three men have been arrested as suspected perpetrators of drug trafficking offenses, and one of them is also charged with money laundering.

• During the search of the main suspect's home, three kilos of cocaine, 36 grams of MDMA, eight blister packs of sildenafil, 96,400 euros, tools for handling narcotics, and three vehicles were seized.

April 28, 2026. Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency in Cantabria and the National Police have concluded a joint investigation, called 'El Alba', in which a network dedicated to drug trafficking has been dismantled in Santander. In the operation, three men have been arrested as alleged perpetrators of drug trafficking offenses, and one of them is also charged with money laundering.

The operation began in late 2025, when various reports were received at the Cantabria Police Headquarters expressing a feeling of insecurity in a neighborhood of Santander, due to the presence of a group of people who were engaged in the sale and distribution of narcotic substances, supposedly cocaine.

This information prompted a police investigation to be launched in mid-December of last year to verify these facts.

The investigators were able to confirm the initial reports, verifying that in the indicated area, narcotic substances were being sold 'in small quantities'.

The investigation progressed and the police procedures carried out by the agents made it possible to identify the main person responsible for the illegal activity. Similarly, two other men who collaborated with the former in the sale and distribution of narcotic substances were identified.

The course of the investigation made it possible to verify the specialization and professionalism in the sale and distribution of narcotic substances 'at retail' of the main suspect. Furthermore, it was found that his standard of living did not correspond to his work activity, so the continuation of the investigation was coordinated with Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency in Cantabria to confirm these suspicions and determine the possible commission of a money laundering offense.

Three arrested and drug and money seized

Once all the necessary steps had been taken by the investigators to verify the crimes under investigation, the operational exploitation of the investigation was agreed upon.

Therefore, on April 23, a coordinated operation was implemented between Customs Surveillance and the National Police, during which the main suspect was located and arrested as the alleged perpetrator of drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. Subsequently, after obtaining the corresponding judicial authorization, the investigators carried out the entry and search of this person's home, located in Santander.

During the search, the agents seized: 3.2 kilos of cocaine, 36 grams of MDMA, eight blisters of sildenafil, 96,400 euros, tools for handling narcotic substances, three vehicles and other effects.

Similarly, during the operation, the other two collaborators were located and arrested as alleged perpetrators of drug trafficking offenses.

Placement at the disposal of the court

The detainees remained in the premises of the Cantabria Police Headquarters until the conclusion of the corresponding police report, at which time they were placed at the disposal of the competent judicial authority, which decreed the imprisonment of the main suspect and the release of the other two.

The coordination between Customs Surveillance in Cantabria and the National Police has allowed this police operation to conclude with the eradication of a point of sale and distribution of cocaine and MDMA in the city of Santander, as well as the confirmation of an alleged crime of money laundering.