Joint Operation in Spain and Portugal Seizes More Than 3.3 Tonnes of Cocaine and Leads to 3 Arrests

Authorities in Spain and Portugal have carried out a joint operation against international drug trafficking, during which more than 3.3 tonnes of cocaine were seized in Spain’s Costa del Sol and in Portugal.

As a result of the operation, three people were arrested: two in Spain and one in Portugal. The suspects are believed to have links to an international network involved in drug trafficking.

The operation was carried out on August 13, following a joint investigation by the authorities of the two countries. The group is suspected of transporting large cocaine shipments along the Spain-Portugal route.

The detainees are charged, among other offenses, with participation in a criminal organization, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, assaulting police officers and violating road safety regulations.

The investigation began after Spanish authorities received information that a van was transporting a large quantity of drugs from Portugal toward the Costa del Sol.

Evidence gathered during the investigation led police to a property in Torremolinos, where significant quantities of cocaine were found. At the same time, the authorities began monitoring vehicles suspected of being used to transport and store the drugs.

One of the suspected vehicles was followed to Marbella, where police stopped it. A search uncovered around 2,000 kilograms of cocaine and led to the arrest of one person.

Meanwhile, a search of the property in Torremolinos resulted in the seizure of around 1,700 kilograms of cocaine. Another person was arrested there, and a loaded pistol was also found.

Seizure in Portugal

The investigation continued in Portugal, where the Judicial Police located the van suspected of having been used to transport the drugs as it was traveling back toward Spain.

After the vehicle was stopped, its driver was arrested. Around 1,500 kilograms of cocaine and two long-barreled firearms were discovered inside the van. The driver was the third person arrested during the operation.

In addition to the drugs and firearms, police seized a total of three firearms, two vehicles and around 1,100 euros.

Investigators also found security cameras, night-vision equipment and communication devices. These materials are being analyzed to determine how the international drug-trafficking network was structured and operated.