Joint operation by the Tax Agency and the National Police

• Four people linked to companies importing containers from South America arrested
• Throughout the operation, a total of 3,500 kilos of cocaine have been seized
• 250,000 euros in cash and seven high-end vehicles have been seized

April 9, 2022.- Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency and National Police, within the framework of the so-called 'Bull' operation, have dismantled a criminal organization dedicated to the introduction of cocaine into large quantities through the port of Algeciras, using an extensive business network dedicated to the import of containers from South America, seizing a total of 3,500 kilos of cocaine.

To introduce the drug, those investigated made use of a large business structure previously created, which mainly included customs and merchandise transportation companies. These companies were used to import containers from South America, mainly Ecuador, in order to camouflage large quantities of cocaine among the declared legal merchandise. In this way, they controlled the entire process of introducing drugs into Europe, from import at source to final distribution in Europe, all through the corporate framework they had in place.

During the exploitation phase, a total of four people have been arrested (three of them from the same family), two in Algeciras, one in La Rioja and another in Valencia, all of them linked to the companies investigated, playing roles in them. of administration and direction. In addition, a total of eight searches have been carried out in these cities, including several customs companies, mainly in Algeciras, declaring provisional prison for two of the detainees, accused of the crimes of drug trafficking, criminal organization, and money laundering. of capitals.

More than 100 organizational properties blocked

In the searches carried out, the investigators located a total of 250,000 euros in cash, seven high-end vehicles, and numerous computer and documentary material related to the criminal activity investigated. In addition, more than 100 properties have been blocked, including homes, vehicles and boats, whose total approximate value amounts to five million euros, as well as 27 bank accounts, owned by the individuals and legal entities investigated.

Due to the large amount of drugs seized and the volume of assets seized, it is considered one of the main blows to large-scale cocaine trafficking through the port of Algeciras, also closing one of the main and most active routes of trafficking. entry of drugs into Europe.

The Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency in Algeciras, the Local Police Station of Algeciras, and the GRECO Campo de Gibraltar have participated in the investigation, carried out in the Investigative Court number five of Algeciras. It is not ruled out that new arrests will occur in the near future.