Arrests Made in Groundbreaking Drug Trafficking Operation
The Spanish National Police have successfully apprehended eight individuals as part of a significant crackdown on a sophisticated criminal network that was operating between the provinces of Cádiz and Álava. This network was notably engaged in the illicit smuggling of drugs, specifically hashish and cocaine, from Morocco into France via Spain, utilizing advanced drone technology. The operation, which was dubbed 'Horus', was initiated following extensive investigations that began last year, highlighting the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles in drug trafficking.
According to police statements, the members of this criminal organization were employing fixed-wing drones to transport substantial shipments of narcotics across the Strait of Gibraltar, directly into Spanish territory. Once the drugs landed in Spain, they were cleverly concealed within vehicles that were modified with sophisticated hidden compartments. These vehicles were subsequently transported to Vitoria, a city in the Basque Country, where the drugs were transferred to French criminal networks known for their involvement in drug trafficking activities.
As part of this operation, law enforcement officials were able to seize one of the drones that had been employed in these smuggling activities. This particular drone was equipped with four engines, enabling it to carry payloads of up to 20 kilograms. It could traverse the distance between Morocco and Spain in a matter of minutes, achieving speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour, which underscores the innovative methods being utilized by traffickers to evade detection.
The culmination of the investigation resulted in five coordinated raids conducted in the cities of Algeciras and Vitoria. These efforts led to the arrest of eight suspects associated with the network, as well as the seizure of significant quantities of drugs, including 40 kilograms of hashish and two kilograms of cocaine. Additionally, police confiscated two vehicles implicated in the transportation of the drugs and a substantial sum of €14,000 in cash, further disrupting the operations of this dangerous criminal enterprise.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
