The Civil Guard has seized seven tons of cocaine transported by the Guadalquivir River, the largest drug haul in Andalusia from an organization using narco-speedboats. This operation, carried out last week, is the largest among the drug seizures intercepted from the criminal gangs that navigate the Guadalquivir River with narco-speedboats. The 7,000 kilograms of cocaine were hidden in two hideouts on a property in Coria del Río, a town near Seville, where three members of the criminal organization were arrested, according to the Armed Institute. On the early morning of December 27, several agents detected two suspicious semi-rigid boats at the entrance of the Guadalquivir River believed to be involved in smuggling operations. After activating aerial, maritime, and land resources, the agents followed the narco-speedboats and witnessed the unloading of numerous packages, which were then transported to a property guarded by the three detainees.
Upon entering the property, the Civil Guard officers found two hiding places with two maritime containers where the mafia stored all of their drug shipments, designed to keep the drugs protected and accessible from the top. The operation resulted in the seizure of three long firearms, including an AK47 assault rifle, and two stolen vehicles. In the video recorded by the Civil Guard while the drugs were being removed, clearly visible are the drug packages wrapped with the label “Guitarra” and a demon-like character with horns printed on them. All the packages were inside blue airtight bags accumulated in both hiding places. “The operation represents a significant blow to the drug trafficking networks operating in the Guadalquivir River, highlighting the comprehensive efforts being made by the Civil Guard in Andalusia to combat drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the region, one of the main entry points for drugs into Europe,” emphasized the Armed Institute. The operation is ongoing, and additional arrests of criminal gang members are not ruled out.
In this latest operation of the Ministry of the Interior’s IV Special Security Plan for the Campo de Gibraltar, various police operational centers have been involved: the Regional Analysis and Intelligence Center against Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering (CRAIN), the Organic Unit of Judicial Police in Seville, the Central Operative Unit (UCO), as well as the support of the Rapid Action Group (GAR), the Coordination Section of the Andalusia Zone, and the Southern Air Sector. The successful interception of this massive drug shipment highlights the collaborative efforts and coordination among law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking and organized crime in the region. The involvement of various specialized units and resources in the operation demonstrates the dedication and commitment of the authorities to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks operating in the area.
The significant drug seizure and arrests made in this operation reflect the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and organized crime activities in Andalusia. The size and scale of the cocaine haul, as well as the sophisticated methods used by the criminal organization to conceal and transport the drugs, underscore the challenges faced by authorities in preventing the flow of narcotics into the region. The successful coordination and cooperation among different law enforcement agencies involved in the operation have played a crucial role in disrupting the criminal activities of drug traffickers and dismantling their networks. The seizure of seven tons of cocaine represents a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking in the region and sends a strong message to criminal organizations involved in illicit activities.
The seizure of such a large quantity of cocaine and the dismantling of a significant drug trafficking network operating in the Guadalquivir River area will have a direct impact on disrupting the flow of drugs into Europe through this route. The authorities’ success in intercepting this massive drug shipment demonstrates their commitment to combatting drug trafficking and organized crime in the region. The ongoing investigation and potential for further arrests highlight the determination of law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal networks and bring those responsible for drug trafficking to justice. The seizure of seven tons of cocaine is a major blow to the criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking in Andalusia and serves as a warning to others engaged in similar illegal activities.
