Significant Crackdown on Hashish Trafficking from Morocco
The National Police of Spain has successfully dismantled one of the largest criminal organizations involved in hashish trafficking, culminating in the arrest of 57 individuals across six provinces and the seizure of an impressive 10.5 tons of the illegal drug. This extensive operation, executed in multiple phases, underscores the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the region.
According to recent reports from the General Directorate of the National Police, this substantial quantity of hashish originated from Morocco. The drug was transported to the Spanish mainland via coastal routes and subsequently moved by land to be stored in rented apartments located in the northern area of Madrid. From these so-called "stash houses," the narcotics were then distributed to various provinces and even supplied to other networks across Europe.
The operation led to the apprehension of 57 suspects, with the majority of arrests taking place in Madrid (45), followed by Valencia (5), Malaga (3), Guadalajara (2), and one each in Burgos and Almería. These individuals face serious charges including membership in a criminal organization, drug trafficking, money laundering, document forgery, and illegal possession of ammunition. Notably, 18 of the arrestees have been remanded in custody.
Details of the Investigation
This investigation, spearheaded by the Instruction Section of the Plaza 1 of the National High Court, began in August 2025 when authorities became aware of illicit activities linked to drug trafficking being coordinated through an encrypted messaging platform. Through diligent investigative efforts, law enforcement uncovered an international criminal organization characterized by its high level of professionalism in smuggling hashish and marijuana from Morocco via the Spanish coasts.
The drugs were then transported overland to Madrid, where they were stored in rented apartments before being distributed to clients throughout Spain and even to other European countries. A critical location identified by investigators was the Las Tablas neighborhood in Madrid, which was pivotal for the organization’s operations. Here, profits from drug sales were funneled back into the legitimate economy through fraudulent loans, investments in luxury properties and vehicles, and falsified payrolls and invoices via front companies.
During the raids, police executed 20 search warrants across various locations, including 15 in Madrid, 2 in Guadalajara, 2 in Malaga, and 1 in Valencia. The operation resulted in the seizure of over 10,500 kilograms of hashish, 1,100 kilograms of marijuana, 47 bottles of gasoline presumably intended to fuel narco-boats, 19 vehicles, 12 luxury watches, €50,800 in cash, and a firearm. The final phase of this operation took place on July 29, when authorities located 2,100 kilograms of hashish in a distribution point in the Cañaveral urbanization of Madrid, leading to the arrests of those responsible for maintaining this stash.
Currently, the investigation remains open, and further arrests and drug seizures are anticipated as authorities continue to dismantle this extensive network.
As reported by eldebate.com.
