Spanish authorities disrupt major Latin American drug trafficking network

[News_Editor]

Spanish authorities disrupt major Latin American drug trafficking network

2010-11-13 08:56:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

MADRID, SPAIN (BNO NEWS) -- Spanish authorities on Friday confirmed that police forces have disrupted one of the main drug trafficking organization which operated between Latin America and Spain and arrested 53 people involved.

Police said two operations were conducted in Madrid and in Cadiz and said the drug trafficking organization consisted of an extent network between Spain and Argentina. Most of its members were Colombian and Mexican.

The drug trafficking operation concealed the narcotics in one kilogram-packages mixed with apple cargoes. The packages were identified with a logo of Disney's Donald duck. Most of the shipments were sent in the first months of the year during Argentina's apple season.

The narcotics entered Spanish soil via the Vigo port and local drug dealers received the drugs and distributed them throughout the nation in containers. Leaders of the criminal operation traveled frequently between Argentina and Spain to supervise the illegal enterprise.

Spanish authorities launched an investigation with support from international law enforcement and seized 3,400 kilograms of cocaine in Argentina and Brazil which was heading towards the European country. In the port of Barcelona, 200 kilograms of cocaine were found inside a container.

In addition, authorities have executed around 20 search warrants and secured approximately €5.5 million in cash as well as 65 luxury cars. The investigation revealed that the drug leaders spent around €2,000 per day.

Law enforcement agents also seized six ships that the criminals used to transport the narcotics. Fifty individuals were arrested in this operation. The detainees are from Madrid, Alicante, Vigo, and Argentina.

The second operation took place in Cadiz, another Spanish port. There, a Dutch-flagged fishing vessel was secured as it was carrying over 20,000 kilograms of hashish. The vessel was detained about 70 nautical miles from Morocco.

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