In a joint operation of the Tax Agency, the National Police and the Civil Guard

• Officers have arrested four people - all of British nationality - for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking and membership in a criminal organisation and have seized more than 100,000 euros in cash that they were carrying at the time of the intervention.
• During the operation, the agents seized 1,500 kilos of hashish that they found hidden in a false bottom that had been made in the hull of the boat.

August 30, 2019 .- Officials from the Tax Agency and agents from the National Police and the Civil Guard have dismantled a drug trafficking organization made up of people of British nationality and based in Marbella. Four people involved in the organisation have been arrested and 1,500 kilos of hashish have been seized. The ringleaders of the network had a hidden recreational sports boat that they had docked in the marina of Marbella (Málaga) and that they used to transport illegal merchandise from the coasts of North Africa to those of our country.

Beginning of the investigation

The first investigations took place when the agents became aware of the existence of a criminal organisation based in Marbella and dedicated to drug trafficking. The leaders of the organisation – of British nationality – had a pleasure boat that they would use to transport narcotics from Morocco to the town of Marbella.

The investigations carried out allowed the agents to identify the leaders of the network – perfectly organised and with a clear division of tasks – all of British origin and who resided permanently in the Guadalmina area in Marbella. There they found several high-end vehicles and houses owned by the suspects and also found that, in order to hinder police work, they used rental cars for their travels. The agents confirmed the high standard of living that the leaders led during their stay in Marbella, where they frequented restaurants and entertainment venues and had significant amounts of cash.

As a result of their investigations, investigators discovered that several members of the organization were moving the boat, a motor yacht, docked in the marina. Afterwards, taking strict security measures, they left the place in the direction of Guadalmina.

51 bales of hashish found

A surveillance device was immediately established, which resulted in its location when it returned to port, this time with a deeper draft than normal, which is why a survey was carried out. After a thorough inspection, the agents located a false bottom and inside 51 bales of hashish with a total weight of 1,500 kilos of hashish.

During the police operation, three crew members of the boat were caught arriving on land and, immediately afterwards, coming into contact with other members of the network, including the leader of the network, who were waiting for them in a vehicle.

At the time of the arrest, the agents seized cash from them, amounting to more than 100,000 euros in the amount seized during the searches.