Major Drug Bust in Europe
Spanish police announced on Thursday the seizure of a staggering 1.8 tons of crystal meth that was set to be trafficked by Mexico’s notorious Sinaloa Cartel in Europe. This marks the largest-ever capture of the narcotic in Spain and the second largest in Europe, according to Antonio Martinez Duarte, head of the police’s drug trafficking and organized crime unit.
Five individuals were arrested during the operation in Alicante province, including a Mexican national overseeing the cartel’s activities in Spain. Martinez Duarte revealed that the Mexican suspect played a crucial role in receiving the drugs in Spain and distributing them across the continent.
Elaborate Trafficking Network
The criminal group utilized remote locations in the Valencia region to store the illicit shipments before deploying vehicles with hidden compartments to transport the methamphetamines to various European destinations. Police shared footage on social media capturing the moment officers uncovered bags of drugs concealed within machinery and false vehicle bottoms.
Temporary Presence in Spain
Martinez Duarte clarified that Mexican drug organizations typically operate through trusted individuals who execute trafficking activities on their behalf in accordance with their directives. The recent bust is believed to be a singular trafficking endeavor, as Mexican groups are not believed to have permanent bases in Spain.
Continued Fight Against Drug Trafficking
Although Spain is a key entry point for drugs into Europe, seizures of synthetic narcotics like crystal meth are relatively uncommon, with traffickers predominantly dealing in cannabis and cocaine. Previous major drug interceptions include the confiscation of 11 tons of cocaine hidden in shipping containers and the discovery of a homemade “narco sub” vessel suspected of transporting cocaine.