DrugsNews

Spanish Civil Guard dismantles a criminal organization that transported cocaine in double funds practiced in vehicles

The Civil Guard, within the framework of the “Teether” operation, has completely dismantled a criminal organization dedicated mainly to cocaine trafficking, proceeding to arrest 20 people and investigate another 2 more for the commission of the alleged crimes of drug trafficking and membership in a criminal organization. Likewise, 21 kilograms of cocaine, 30 kilograms of hashish and 1,029,000 euros in cash have been intervened in the operation, among other effects. 23 homes, 2 parking spaces, 2 storage rooms, 1 farm and 15 vehicles (2 of them with double funds) have been blocked.

The operation began last June when investigators learned that a criminal group based in various Andalusian towns would be involved in drug trafficking.

Sophisticated double bottoms

Continuing with the investigations, the agents were able to determine that these people were hiding the cocaine in sophisticated double bottoms practiced in various parts of the vehicles, requiring a sequence of actions (known only to the driver of the vehicle) to access the drug. 

Similarly, the agents were able to determine that drug and money transactions were carried out inside underground garages. 

As a result of this investigation, the agents intercepted one of the shipments, finding 3 kilograms of cocaine behind the rear pilots of the vehicle, which had a complex dismantling system, for which the driver was arrested.

Subsequently, the agents went to the home of the detained person where two other members of the organization were with money and jewelry, both of whom were detained.

It should be noted that one of the drug shipments was intercepted when the members of the organization were forced to hide it in bushes in a field near the road they were traveling on when they noticed the existence of a police checkpoint. 

As a consequence of these interventions, the first phase of the operation was carried out where 5 domiciliary searches were carried out in the towns of Torremolinos, Estepona and Malaga, intervening 7 kilograms of cocaine, 450,000 euros in cash, 5 vehicles, computer equipment and important documentation for the investigation.

Two weeks later, the second phase of exploitation of the operation was carried out, carrying out 12 more searches in the provinces of Malaga and Córdoba, arresting 19 people and 2 investigated, seizing another 10 kilograms of cocaine, 30 of hashish, 579,000 euros in metallic and 7 vehicles.

The operation has been carried out by agents belonging to the Málaga Civil Guard Command and OCON-SUR, who have had the support of agents from the Córdoba Command Office, the Rapid Action Group (GAR) and the Group of Reserve and Security (GRS) of the Civil Guard.