Police in Spain have made a significant seizure of synthetic drugs thanks to a suspicious shipment of washing machines from the mainland to Tenerife. The National Police seized 1,800 kilos of methamphetamine in the Valencian Community, the largest seizure of this substance in Spain and the second-largest in Europe. Five people were arrested in Villena and Puçol on May 6, including a suspected member of the Sinaloa cartel, the dangerous Mexican drug trafficking organization. The methamphetamine was destined for distribution to Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and Poland, with only a minimal amount remaining in Spain due to limited consumption of the substance.
The operation, codenamed Saga, successfully prevented a large quantity of this “highly dangerous” substance from hitting the streets, according to Police Commissioner Antonio Martínez Duarte. The drugs had entered Spain through a route that authorities did not disclose, and were seized as they were about to be distributed in a first shipment of 224 kilos. The arrested individuals, including the Sinaloa cartel emissary and several Spanish and Romanian nationals, were transporting the drugs hidden in washing machines imported from the mainland to Tenerife. The investigation spanned Tenerife, Madrid, and Valencia.
The Sinaloa cartel, which split into factions following the arrest of El Chapo Guzmán in 2015, is believed to have no permanent infrastructure in Spain. Instead, they send trusted individuals to confirm the arrival of drug shipments in the country before distributing them to third countries in northern Europe. The detained Mexican national serving as an emissary had no previous record in Spain and was expected to return to Mexico after completing the distribution of the methamphetamine. The investigation continues with the analysis of seized documents, phones, and computers to gather more evidence.
Methamphetamine is considered one of the most dangerous and destructive drugs by experts, second only to heroin and crack. It is a potent synthetic stimulant that can lead to high levels of dependency and severe cardiac and psychotic conditions. The drug market in Europe for methamphetamine is relatively small but potentially growing, according to a report from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. The Sinaloa cartel, or other criminal organizations occupying their space, has been linked to significant methamphetamine production in Mexico, as reported by the Mexican Navy.
The DEA’s latest report states that the Sinaloa cartel no longer has a single leader but is divided into four factions that share resources without central command. After El Chapo Guzmán’s conviction in 2019, the organization has split, with each faction operating independently but cohesively. Recently, a complex drug laboratory in Sevilla was dismantled, revealing a sophisticated operation similar to a major chemical company’s pilot plant. The laboratory was found to be producing synthetic cannabinoids and had links to a criminal organization with members from Eastern Europe.
Due to recent drug busts and discoveries of sophisticated drug operations, it is evident that drug trafficking and production remain significant challenges for law enforcement agencies. The Sinaloa cartel and other criminal organizations continue to adapt their methods to evade capture and distribution of drugs, posing a threat to public health and safety. International cooperation and intelligence sharing are crucial in combatting the global drug trade and preventing the flow of dangerous substances into communities.
