National Police personnel, working with the Turkish National Police and the General Directorate of Customs Control, busted a criminal organisation dedicated to smuggling heroin into our nation. They invested the money in marijuana for later export to Turkey via the same Sete (France)-Yalova (Turkey) route.
The charges of drug trafficking and involvement in a criminal organisation led to the imprisonment of 11 out of the 15 members of this organisation. Heroin, marijuana, adulterants, cash, cell phones, and numerous documents were confiscated.
The inquiry began late last year after a heroin shipment was discovered in the Community of Madrid, as well as the discovery of a group reportedly transporting marijuana from Spain to Turkey.
Initial investigations revealed that a criminal organisation headquartered in both countries was transporting the narcotic to Spain via the maritime route between Yalova (Turkey) and Sete (France), operating mostly in Madrid, Alicante, Barcelona, and Tarragona.
First phase
The initial part of this investigation began last February, when authorities arrested one of the organisation’s leaders, as well as his deputy and two colleagues. The arrests occurred while they were hauling a two-kilogram supply of heroin and preparing to finalise the transaction.
Second phase
Two days later, a search was conducted at one of their homes, where he was functioning as a drug dealer and substance adulterator. Six kilograms of heroin, one kilogram of cutting substance, and 300 grams of amphetamines were recovered, along with numerous drug packaging tools and money.
Drugs stashed in the trailers’ fuel and water tanks
Despite these arrests, the criminal network maintained its illicit activities, grabbing marijuana and concealing it in the compartments of trailer-type vehicles before transferring it from Spain to Turkey. They prepared the compartments for hiding the material in the vehicles’ fuel and water tanks at a warehouse in Els Garidells (Tarragona), allowing them to pass through any police checks undetected.
When investigators learnt of the trailer’s arrival, they conducted a search of the ship, which included the Special Operations Group (GEO) and other National Police units. This operation led to the arrest of six members of the organisation.
The police operation resulted in the arrest of the organisation’s commander and frontman at El Campello, Alicante. The remaining individuals, in control of the distribution logistics equipment, were apprehended and held in Madrid.
Entries and Records
In the entries and searches conducted in Madrid (2), Alicante (1), Barcelona (1), and Tarragona (1), a total of 8 kilograms of high-purity heroin, more than 170 kilograms of marijuana buds, 30 kilograms of adulterant substance, more than 47,000 euros, seven high-end vehicles, telephone terminals, and documentation were confiscated.
Arrests and incarceration
The 15 members of the organisation were detained on accusations of drug trafficking and membership in a criminal organisation. When they were hauled before the court authorities, eleven of them were sentenced to prison.
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