Spanish police have confiscated more than 700 kilograms of drugs, including over one million ecstasy pills, in the largest confiscation of this kind in Spain’s history.
In addition, the Guardia Civil seized 212 kg of ketamine, 73kg of MDMA, 21 kg of pink cocaine, 20 kg of cocaine, 10 kg of hashish, 6 kg of marijuana and 3 kg of sugar used for making cocaine.
According to security forces, the seizures were valued at more than €25 million.
Authorities reported in a statement the arrest of nine individuals linked to the operation, describing them as members of “one of the main synthetic drug smuggling organisations in Spain.” The suspects were of Spanish, Italian and Dutch origin.
According to Spanish media, the final phase of ‘Operation Adriatic’ took place on 5 September with eight searches in Ibiza and another two in Malaga. The investigation began at the end of April when the authorities detected the existence of an organisation dedicated to bringing drugs into Ibiza.
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Just a month ago, Spanish police arrested five people and seized more than 1,000 marijuana plants in an operation to end a trafficking network that sent marijuana from Spain to Germany.
The network was engaged in sending marijuana to Germany through parcel companies.
Agents carried out a series of searches in four towns in the Madrid region: Argan del Rey, Arroyomolinos, Serranillos del Valle and Torrejon de Ardoz. They broke up two marijuana plantations and a sophisticated drug packaging and packing centre.
The criminal group operated through an elaborate system that included small plantations spread throughout the Madrid region which provided them with a constant supply of narcotics to send to Germany.
Cocaine in banana containers
Last October, the Guardia Civil announced the seizure of nearly 720 kg of cocaine coming from Costa Rica.
The drug was hidden in a safe buried under piles of metal scraps in the container, authorities said. Eight people were arrested in connection to the drug bust, but their identities were not revealed to the public.
According to 2020 data, Spain was the third country in Europe for the quantity of cocaine seized in its ports with a total of 26 tonnes following Belgium (69 tonnes) and the Netherlands (45 tonnes).
