The Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil), supported by Europol, has dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking network in an investigation involving Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. The suspects are believed to be involved in the receipt and wholesale distribution of cocaine in the EU, as well as money laundering. The operation was coordinated by Europol's Operational Task Force.
Investigation into drug trafficking network
The investigation, which began in June 2022, uncovered a drug trafficking network operating across three continents. The network’s members – from Albania, Bulgaria, Colombia and Spain – organised the smuggling of large quantities of cocaine from their country of origin to Europe. They each played different roles in the logistics chain. The Colombians were responsible for the shipments from Colombia to Europe, while Bulgarian, Colombian and Spanish members oversaw the receipt and further distribution of the drugs.
The smuggler hides in a container to enter the port area. With the help of corrupt employees, the cocaine was removed from the containers at night. Other Albanian members, based in Dubai, acted as investors – they provided the financing to pay the producers in Colombia. Members of the network also laundered the proceeds of their crimes. Intelligence indicates that the criminal network was able to receive up to one ton of cocaine per week.
Spanish market
The shipments were sent by air freight and sea containers. In October 2024, 4,1 tons of cocaine were seized in Panama, destined for Spain, in connection with this network. The network is believed to be linked to cocaine seizures totaling more than seven tons. In addition, since the start of the investigation, authorities had already seized two tons of cocaine in Spain.
Results of the action, carried out in three phases, between December 2024 and January 2025:
- 22 arrests in Spain (Spanish and Colombian nationalities);
- 27 house searches in Barcelona, Cadiz, Madrid, Malaga and Valencia;
- Seizures included approximately 1 tonne of cocaine and 5 kg of 'tusi' (pink cocaine), 35 vehicles, including 8 luxury cars (estimated value of approximately 2,5 million euros), luxury watches and jewellery (estimated value of approximately 1,5 million euros) and 6,5 million euros in cash;
- 48 weapons (5 long weapons, 5 handguns and 38 historical weapons);
- 53 frozen bank accounts.
Europol Taskforce
The increase in cocaine shipments from South America to Europe, as well as the penetration of criminal networks in both legal and illegal businesses within the EU, led to the creation of an Operational Task Force at Europol. The Task Force focused on these groups in the source countries and along the distribution chain. During the investigation, Europol coordinated the exchange of information between national authorities, enabling them to efficiently tackle the entire drug trafficking network.
In addition, Europol provided continuous intelligence development, analysis and digital forensic expertise to support the investigators. This intelligence gave law enforcement a complete overview of the hidden network that operated across countries and continents. During the action days, Europol sent experts to Spain to provide analytical and technical support to the officers on the ground.
The following law enforcement agencies participated in the operation:
- Bulgaria: General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime
- Colombia: Colombian National Police (Policía Nacional de Colombia)
- Panama: Panama's National Police (Policía Nacional de Panamá)
- Spain: Civil Guard (Guardia Civil)
Source: Europol.Europa.eu
