On Thursday, Spanish police reported that the Sinaloa Cartel of Mexico made an attempt to transport 1.8 tons of crystal meth to Europe. This is the “largest seizure” of narcotics in the history of Spain.
Police apprehended five individuals during the search in the eastern province of Alicante, one of whom was a Mexican who was responsible for the Spanish operation of the cartel, according to a statement.
Antonio Martinez Duarte, director of the organized crime and drug trafficking unit of the Spanish police, informed reporters that this is the largest crystal meth ever seized in Spain and the second largest in Europe.
“A Mexican citizen associated with the Sinaloa Cartel is among those apprehended,” he stated.
He suggested that the suspect was involved in the acquisition of the illegal drugs in Spain and their subsequent distribution throughout Europe, despite maintaining his anonymity.
A video was posted on social media by the police, showcasing the removal of bags of suspected drugs that were concealed within apparatus and fake vehicle bottoms.
Police officers and journalists observe a portion of a 1.8-ton methamphetamine seizure in Madrid, Spain, on May 16, 2024. The Sinaloa cartel, which is responsible for the production of methamphetamine in Mexico, has made the claim that the Spanish police have devastated a substantial distribution network.
Martínez claims that the gang concealed the illicit methamphetamine deliveries in sequestered residences in the Valencia region before transporting them to other European countries in covert vehicles.
The social media platforms were inundated with footage of police officers extracting bags of drugs that were clearly concealed within apparatus and sham vehicle bottoms.
Martínez claims that the gang concealed the illicit methamphetamine deliveries in sequestered residences in the Valencia region before transporting them to other European countries in covert vehicles.
The social media platforms were inundated with footage of police officers extracting bags of drugs that were clearly concealed within apparatus and sham vehicle bottoms.
Despite the arrest of its founder, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, and his son, the Sinaloa Cartel remains one of the most violent, oldest, and largest criminal organizations in Mexico. It continues to exert a significant amount of influence.
Both individuals have been apprehended and extradited to the United States. Last month, a federal magistrate denied “El Chapo” his request for visits with his young daughters and phone conversations.
The police confiscated five vehicles, documents, a weapon, and currency in addition to detaining three Spaniards and one Romanian during the operational phase.
According to Martinez Duarte, the police are of the opinion that the operation was a one-time instance of trafficking and that “Mexican organizations do not maintain permanent operations” in Spain.
He elaborated, “These organizations assign a trustworthy individual to implement the operation in accordance with their objectives.” “Upon completion of the mission, he returns to his residence.”
The illicit substances that were apprehended were on their way to central Europe.
Despite the fact that Spain is a principal entry point for drugs into Europe, synthetic narcotic seizures are rare. This is predominantly because traffickers specialize in the trade of cocaine and cannabis.
In December, Spanish authorities confiscated eleven tons of cocaine that had been concealed within shipping containers, while twenty individuals were apprehended. Police in northwestern Spain refloated an improvised semi-submersible vessel, which they suspected was being used to transport cocaine, nine months prior to the occurrence. This vessel was referred to as a “narco sub.”
