The Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil), supported by Europol, has dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking network in an investigation involving Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. The suspects were allegedly involved in the reception and wholesale distribution of cocaine across the EU, as well as in money laundering. The sting was coordinated by Europol’s Operational Taskforce.
Network spans Latin America, Europe and the Middle East
The investigation, initiated in June 2022, uncovered this drug trafficking network operating across three continents. The members of the network – nationals from Albania, Bulgaria, Colombia and Spain – organised the trafficking of large quantities of cocaine from the source country to Europe.
They each took on different roles within the logistical chain. The Colombian nationals handled the shipments from Colombia to Europe, while Bulgarian, Colombian and Spanish nationals oversaw the reception and further distribution of the drugs. The rescuers hid in a container to sneak into the port and, with the help of corrupt workers, extracted the cocaine during the night. Other Albanian members, based in Dubai, acted as investors – they provided the finances needed to pay the producers for the shipments from Colombia.
Members of the network also laundered the proceeds from their crimes. Intelligence suggests that the criminal network had the capacity to receive up to one tonne of cocaine per week. The shipments were made via air cargo and maritime containers.
In October 2024, authorities seized 4.1 tonnes of cocaine in Panama, destined for Spain, in connection with this network. The network is allegedly linked to cocaine seizures totalling over seven tonnes. In addition, law enforcement authorities had seized another two tonnes of cocaine in Spain since the beginning of the investigation.
Europol’s support and Operational Taskforce
The increase in cocaine shipments from South America to Europe, as well as the penetration of criminal networks into legal and illegal businesses in the EU, prompted the creation of an Operational Taskforce at Europol.
The Taskforce targeted these groups in the source countries and along the distribution chain. During the investigation, Europol coordinated the exchange of information between national authorities, bringing them together to efficiently target the entire drug trafficking network. In addition, Europol provided continuous intelligence development, analysis and digital forensic expertise to support investigators.
This intelligence gave law enforcement agencies the full picture of the covert network operating across various countries and continents. During the action days, Europol deployed experts to Spain to provide analytical and technical support to officers in the field.
24 January 2025
Source: Europol
