The National Police of Spain has successfully dismantled a criminal organization operating in the provinces of Cádiz and Álava, which was dedicated to transporting illicit drugs from Morocco and southern Spain to France. This operation, known as 'Operation HORUS', has led to the arrest of eight individuals thus far. According to a statement released by the National Police on Wednesday, the operation was initiated last year and revealed that this criminal group utilized unmanned fixed-wing aircraft to smuggle significant quantities of drugs, including hashish and cocaine, via aerial routes across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Once the narcotics reached Spanish territory, they were concealed within vehicles equipped with sophisticated hidden compartments designed to obscure the contraband. These vehicles then transported the drugs to the Basque Country, specifically to Vitoria, where they were distributed to various French criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking.
During the course of the investigation, authorities managed to seize one of the drones used for transporting the drugs. This large drone, featuring a wingspan of four meters and equipped with four motors, can carry up to 20 kilograms of cargo. These aircraft can cover the distance between Spain and Morocco in mere minutes while achieving speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour, demonstrating the advanced methods employed by the traffickers.
The investigation, led by the Instruction Section of the Algeciras Court of First Instance, culminated in simultaneous raids at five locations in Algeciras and Vitoria, resulting in the arrests of eight suspects. Law enforcement officials confiscated 40 kilograms of hashish, 2 kilograms of cocaine, two vehicles used for drug transport, €14,000 in cash, and the drone operated by the criminal organization, along with other items linked to their illicit activities.
As reported by canalsur.es.
