DR ‹ › The Spanish Civil Guard has successfully dismantled an international crime syndicate involved in drug trafficking, which was actively smuggling hashish via passenger buses from Morocco to various European Union countries, with Belgium as the ultimate destination. The smugglers employed sophisticated hidden compartments within the buses' cooling systems to transport the drugs. The Almería Civil Guard Command announced that this operation, spearheaded by the judicial police's organic unit, commenced earlier this year. It was facilitated by ongoing security cooperation between the Spanish Civil Guard, Moroccan police, and customs authorities, allowing for effective monitoring of the network's operations and the identification of its organizational hierarchy. Investigations uncovered that the syndicate was headquartered in Almería and nearby areas, structured in a hierarchical manner and led by an individual based in northeastern France, near the Belgian border. This leader was responsible for receiving drug shipments upon their arrival in Europe. Throughout the operation, law enforcement conducted eight raids in Almería, Roquetas de Mar, Vícar, and Melilla. These efforts led to the confiscation of approximately 140 kilograms of hashish, 15 vehicles, including luxury cars and two buses, along with over 130,000 euros in cash and various technological devices. The operation culminated in the dismantling of the criminal network, with authorities seizing 19 bank accounts, 50 vehicles, and 28 properties as part of a broader initiative to combat international drug trafficking and money laundering.
