Major Operation Disrupts Criminal Network Utilizing Drones for Drug Transport
The National Police of Spain has successfully dismantled a criminal organization operating in the provinces of Cádiz and Álava, which was engaged in the transportation of hashish and cocaine from Morocco and southern Spain to France, utilizing advanced drone technology. This operation mirrors the groundbreaking initiatives previously undertaken in Ceuta aimed at combating this innovative method of drug trafficking.
Dubbed Operation Horus, the investigation commenced in the year 2025, revealing the extent to which this criminal network employed unmanned fixed-wing aircraft, or drones, to airlift significant quantities of narcotics, including both hashish and cocaine, across the Strait of Gibraltar into Spanish territory.
Upon arrival in Spain, the illicit substances were concealed within vehicles equipped with hidden compartments, enabling their transportation to northern Spain. The drugs were then delivered to the Basque Country, specifically to Vitoria, from where they were distributed to various French criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking.
Throughout the course of the investigation, law enforcement agents succeeded in seizing one of the drones used for transporting these illegal substances. This drone is notably large, featuring a wingspan of four meters and equipped with four motors, allowing it to carry payloads of up to 20 kilograms.
Remarkably, these drones can traverse the distance between Spain and Morocco in a matter of minutes, achieving speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. The operational phase of the investigation culminated in five searches conducted in residences located in Algeciras and Vitoria (Álava), resulting in the arrests of eight individuals.
Additionally, authorities intercepted 40 kilograms of hashish, two kilograms of cocaine, two vehicles utilized for drug transport, 14,000 euros in cash, and one of the drones employed by the criminal organization, along with various other items linked to their illicit activities.
As reported by elfarodeceuta.es.
