Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the National Police

• Two people who were part of a criminal organization dedicated to large-scale drug production in the province of Valladolid have been arrested

• In the four searches carried out, more than 12 kilograms of cocaine, 40 kilograms of procaine and 400 liters of precursor liquids were seized.

• They had vehicles with hidden compartments created specifically to hide the narcotic substance and avoid police action during transport.

August 10, 2024.- The Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency, in a joint operation with the National Police, has dismantled a clandestine cocaine production laboratory in the province of Valladolid. They distributed the drug throughout Spain, for which they had vehicles with hidden compartments created specifically to hide the narcotic substance and evade police action during transport. Two men who were members of the organization have been arrested as alleged perpetrators of the crimes of belonging to a criminal organization and drug trafficking.

In the four raids carried out in 'Operation Silken-Cigales' more than 12 kilograms of cocaine, 40 kilograms of procaine and 400 litres of precursor liquids were seized, as well as more than 90,000 euros in cash, six vehicles and numerous utensils for the production and distribution of the drug. The investigation began in May, when agents learned of the existence of a criminal organization, based in the province of Valladolid, allegedly dedicated to the production and processing of cocaine.

As a result of the investigations, the agents discovered that the organization had a logistics center located on a farm in a small town in Valladolid, which was considered the epicenter of its illicit activity. In this place, they had created a laboratory for the transformation and extraction of cocaine from where one of the leaders directed his activity. The processed drugs were then stored, awaiting distribution.

Chemicals to “cook” the drug

The agents confirmed that the modus operandi of the organization consisted of obtaining cocaine and transporting it to the clandestine laboratory, which was perfectly prepared and conditioned. There, the drugs were mixed with chemicals in order to increase their volume and thus their illicit profits.

Finally, it was divided into packages to be distributed on demand throughout the national territory. To deliver the drugs to the buyers, they had vehicles with hidden compartments designed to conceal the narcotic substance and thus make deliveries in complete safety.

They controlled transportation with electronic devices

The operation culminated when the agents detected one of the criminal organisation's transporters travelling to Madrid to acquire, and subsequently transport to the laboratory in Valladolid, a large quantity of chemical products for the preparation of cocaine.

At the time of his arrest, the agents discovered that the criminal organization had technological security measures in place to know in real time the exact location and whereabouts of the transporter during the journeys.

The rest of the members of the organization, after learning that the driver had been arrested, tried to hide the narcotic substance in the hidden compartments of the vehicles. One of them was arrested in Valladolid and the drug was finally located by investigators in the four searches carried out.

The operation ultimately resulted in the arrest of two men suspected of belonging to a criminal organization and drug trafficking. After being brought before the court, they were ordered to be sent to prison immediately.