Major Drug Trafficking Operation Unveiled in Spain
In a significant operation, the **Spanish National Police** has successfully dismantled one of the largest hashish trafficking networks linked to **Morocco**, seizing an impressive **10.8 tons** of the drug across seven provinces in Spain. This extensive operation culminated in the arrest of the principal leader of the organization in Tangier, Morocco, who had been evading law enforcement since March of this year. The operation marks a critical phase in an investigation that began in early 2025, targeting a network that was reportedly introducing thousands of kilograms of hashish monthly into Spain for domestic distribution and for export to other European nations. Authorities have indicated that the investigation remains active, with further arrests and seizures anticipated as more leads are pursued.
Arrest of Network Leader and Extensive Seizures
The head of the trafficking organization was apprehended on October 8 in Tangier after having fled his luxurious residence in Madrid to avoid capture. He is currently in custody in Morocco, pending extradition proceedings to Spain. According to police reports, this individual was intricately involved in the logistical operations of the criminal network, overseeing negotiations with Moroccan suppliers, planning maritime and land transport routes, acquiring vehicles and properties for drug storage, and coordinating the activities of other members tasked with the collection, transport, and distribution of the illicit substances. In Spain, law enforcement officials have detained **86 suspects**, with **65 arrests in Madrid**, alongside others in Guadalajara, Valencia, Málaga, and various other locations. The arrested individuals face charges related to organized crime, drug trafficking, and money laundering, with a judge from the National Court ordering 18 of them to be held in custody.
Throughout the operation, police dismantled seven storage facilities and conducted **33 searches**, resulting in the seizure of **10.8 tons of hashish, 21.8 kilograms of marijuana, two long firearms, four other prohibited weapons, 25 vehicles, 15 luxury watches, and approximately €466,000 in cash**. The drugs were reportedly smuggled into Spain from Morocco via its coast and transported to Madrid, where they were stored for distribution across the country and beyond into Europe.
The investigation revealed that the suspects utilized encrypted messaging platforms to coordinate their criminal activities. They managed the inflow of drug shipments and organized their transport to rented homes and residential developments functioning as clandestine storage facilities, often referred to as "guarderías." From these locations, the drugs were prepared for subsequent delivery to smaller-scale distributors. Furthermore, the organization allegedly devised a sophisticated system for laundering the profits generated from drug trafficking through fraudulent loans, straw men, fake payrolls, and counterfeit invoices issued via shell companies. The buying and selling of luxury vehicles and properties were also integral to their financial operations.
Among the significant seizures made during the investigation, one notable instance occurred in December 2025, where more than **2.1 tons of hashish** were confiscated from a residence in the **Las Tablas** neighborhood of Madrid. A subsequent wave of arrests took place in March 2026 targeting members of the organization’s leadership, though the main suspect managed to evade capture at that time. By the end of June, police dismantled additional storage sites, seizing **over 960 kilograms of hashish and 12 kilograms of marijuana buds** from a property on the outskirts of Madrid, while another **ton of hashish** was found in a home in the Sanchinarro area. Investigators also searched an industrial warehouse in **Silla, Valencia**, discovering **4.6 tons of hashish** intended for transport to Madrid, along with another storage point located in a penthouse in the El Cañaveral neighborhood, where **2.1 kilograms** of the substance was seized. The capture of the alleged leader in Morocco and the array of arrests conducted in Spain represent a crucial stage in an ongoing operation aimed at eradicating drug trafficking networks linked to Morocco.
As reported by larazon.es.
