Spanish Authorities Arrest 13 Individuals in Major Drug Bust
In a significant operation against drug trafficking, Spanish authorities have apprehended an additional 13 individuals as part of an expansive investigation targeting a criminal organization involved in smuggling cannabis from Morocco. This brings the total number of arrests in this case to 35, with authorities seizing over 10.8 tons of hashish during the operation. According to reports from the Spanish newspaper El Español, the latest investigation has unveiled critical new details regarding the network's operations, including the arrest of three Moroccans suspected of renting apartments and warehouses used for concealing the drugs.
The seized quantities included not only 10.8 tons of hashish but also 12.30 kilograms of marijuana. Investigators revealed that the trafficking network relied on suppliers in Morocco, transporting shipments of hashish from Moroccan coasts to southern Spain, where the drugs were distributed across various regions, including Huelva, Cádiz, Almería, Alicante, and Madrid. This distribution route extends from Morocco into the Spanish interior and further into other European markets.
Authorities disclosed that the network utilized various transport methods for smuggling and distributing the drugs, including fishing boats, fast crafts, trucks, and vehicles. Additionally, they maintained warehouses and apartments specifically designed for hiding narcotics. According to a police report submitted to the Spanish National Court, this organization controlled a significant share of the hashish market in both Spain and Europe.
The latest developments come on the heels of an initial wave of arrests that led to the detention of 22 individuals, among them a key figure known as Juan Carlos, referred to by investigators as "Moreno," who is believed to be one of the primary operators of this network. The operation expanded this week with the arrest of an additional 13 suspects, coinciding with the lifting of the secrecy surrounding the judicial investigation. Reports from El Español indicated that the Moreno network was actively importing sizable quantities of hashish from Morocco and transporting them across the Andalusian coast to various locations in Spain, particularly Madrid, where the drugs were subsequently distributed both domestically and internationally. The investigation began in March 2025 and continues to evolve.
Authorities remain committed to investigating the case, with ongoing searches for one suspect who managed to escape. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of the case expanding to include additional individuals and networks linked to this criminal operation. This situation once again places Morocco at the center of the supply route for Europe's cannabis market, highlighting its growing role in cross-border drug trafficking operations.
As reported by aps.dz.
