In a significant breakthrough, Spanish law enforcement has identified a 45-year-old Moroccan businessman, Mustapha Chairi Brouzi, as the alleged mastermind behind an intricate network of drug tunnels that link Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Known by the monikers 'El Patrón de los túneles' or 'The Boss of the Tunnels,' and 'The Narco-Architect,' Brouzi stands accused of orchestrating the construction of at least two advanced tunnels specifically designed for the smuggling of substantial quantities of hashish. Investigators estimate that this operation was capable of transporting approximately 8,000 kilograms of hashish each month, with at least two tons being moved weekly through these subterranean channels.
The latest tunnel discovery, which occurred in an industrial area of Ceuta’s El Tarajal district, showcased a remarkable level of sophistication. It was equipped with rail-mounted wagons, pulleys, and cranes, all intended to facilitate the movement of shipments across multiple levels. Measuring 19 meters deep, 1.2 meters high, and 80 centimeters wide, this tunnel featured a three-level design that included a dedicated storage area for drugs, as well as an internal pulley system for the efficient transport of packages. The entrance to this tunnel was ingeniously concealed behind an industrial refrigerator that connected two warehouses, emphasizing the lengths to which Brouzi and his associates went to evade detection.
Authorities have reported that Brouzi relied on his brothers and a small team of fewer than ten people to execute the construction of these tunnels. Additionally, a former officer of the Guardia Civil, known as Angel, allegedly provided Brouzi with critical insights regarding local patrols and border routines, thereby facilitating the operation's success. In related law enforcement activities across Galicia, police seized 80 kilograms of cocaine, 350 kilograms of hashish, and 700,000 euros in cash, although no firearms were recovered during these operations.
The recent tunnel discovery follows the earlier unearthing of a smaller but similarly advanced tunnel located just 100 meters away, which had been found approximately a year prior. Police unions have acknowledged the operation's significance, noting the ongoing modernization and escalation of resources utilized by organized crime networks. Authorities indicated that while the tunnel had been inactive since the previous summer, its discovery underscores the technical sophistication and extensive scale of contemporary smuggling operations. Investigators are continuing their efforts to ascertain the precise origins of the tunnels in Morocco and the full extent of their reach.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
