In a major collaborative operation between Spain's National Police, the tax agency's customs surveillance service, and Ecuador's National Police, a significant international cocaine trafficking ring has been dismantled. The syndicate, accused of smuggling over three tonnes of cocaine into Europe concealed within fruit containers from Ecuador, faced a crackdown resulting in 32 arrests across Spain and Ecuador. The operation, spotlighting the ports of Algeciras and coastal areas like the Costa del Sol, unveiled a complex scheme involving over 800 officers and the seizure of 3,210 kilos of cocaine globally.
The investigation, initiated in 2020 after detecting suspicious money laundering activities linked to an Italian entrepreneur in Marbella, revealed the intricate network's operations. The criminal organization, led by an Albanian national in Ecuador and an Italian based in Marbella, exploited fruit exportation as a facade for their illicit drug trafficking and money laundering activities. Their operations extended to acquiring high-value real estate and establishing nightlife and sports ventures as part of their laundering process.
Law enforcement's concerted efforts, supported by international cooperation and funded by the European Commission, underscore the sophisticated measures adopted by traffickers to conceal drugs and launder proceeds. The ongoing investigation highlights the critical role of international collaboration in combating transnational drug trafficking networks.
Source: surinenglish.com