Significant Police Operation Targets High-Tech Drug Traffickers
In a groundbreaking operation named Horus, the National Police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated criminal organization operating in Algeciras and Álava, which was responsible for smuggling narcotics from Morocco and southern Spain into France. This extensive operation resulted in the arrest of eight individuals following the execution of five simultaneous home searches across both locations. The investigation, which began in 2025, revealed that the criminal network ingeniously employed fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for transporting hashish and cocaine across the treacherous waters of the Strait of Gibraltar, facilitating the illegal trade.
Once the drugs reached Spanish territory, they were cleverly concealed within specially modified vehicles featuring advanced hidden compartments designed to evade detection. These vehicles then transported the narcotics to northern Spain, specifically to Vitoria, where they were subsequently distributed to various French criminal networks engaged in drug trafficking throughout Europe. The operation is a clear indication of how organized crime is adapting to modern technology, posing a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies.
During the operation, authorities seized one of the drones utilized by the organization, which was notably a large device measuring approximately four meters in length, equipped with four powerful motors capable of carrying up to 20 kilograms of illicit substances. Remarkably, these drones could traverse the distance between Morocco and Spain in mere minutes, achieving speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour, which highlights the advanced methods used by traffickers.
In the final phase of the operation, led by the Instruction Section of the Algeciras Court of First Instance, law enforcement officials recovered a substantial quantity of narcotics, including 40 kilograms of hashish and two kilograms of cocaine. Additionally, two vehicles were confiscated, along with around 14,000 euros in cash, the seized drone, and various materials associated with the illegal activities of the organization. This operation marks a significant blow against networks that leverage new technologies for international drug trafficking across the Strait of Gibraltar, showcasing the National Police's commitment to combating such illicit activities.
As reported by europasur.es.
