A criminal organization that hid drugs in industrial ovens in Madrid has been dismantled

A joint operation by the Spanish Civil Guard and the Tax Agency, called “Vieira”, has culminated in the dismantling of a criminal organisation dedicated to international drug trafficking, with the arrest of nine people and the investigation of another five and the seizure of 123.5 kg of cocaine. The group hid drugs in industrial ovens and had a network of shell companies to conceal its activity.

The investigation began in the summer of last year, when the existence of a criminal network of companies apparently dedicated to transport, hospitality and the metallurgical industry was detected, whose real purpose was to cover drug trafficking. The evidence showed that this group introduced narcotics into Spain on flights from abroad and distributed them through Madrid and neighbouring provinces.

During the course of the operation it was discovered that the first destination of the narcotics was an industrial warehouse located in the Community of Madrid, where they were hidden for later distribution inside industrial brick ovens.

Along with these facilities, the criminal group had a drug depot on a rural property located in the municipality of Torrelaguna, north of Madrid.

Investigators ended the operation just as the criminals were trying to remove drugs from the industrial warehouse, which allowed them to seize 123.5 kg of cocaine and various machinery used to handle the merchandise, as well as arrest the ringleaders.

Five people have been investigated and nine people have been arrested, for whom the judicial authority has ordered imprisonment.