• Twelve people arrested and a shipment of 1,450 kilos of cocaine hidden in boxes of frozen yuca from South America seized in Algeciras

• Eight searches in luxury villas and headquarters of the companies under investigation in Seville and Elche, with the seizure of other narcotic substances, two weapons, cash, encrypted phones and inhibitors

January 3, 2025.- Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency, together with agents from the National Police and the Civil Guard, have dismantled an international criminal organization dedicated to the introduction of large quantities of cocaine through the ports of Algeciras (Cádiz) and Valencia, within the framework of the "Lupus/Saim" operation.

The investigation has ended with the arrest of the main members of the organization, responsible for the introduction of 1,450 kilos of cocaine hidden in boxes of frozen cassava from
South America through the port of Algeciras.

The investigation began last July, after a person was kidnapped in Seville by members of the criminal organization under investigation. This fact made it possible to identify those responsible for the organization and determine the role played by each of them.

As a result of the investigation, the network of fruit companies that the organization used to introduce the drugs hidden through the ports of Algeciras and Valencia was identified.

Last November, several containers of fruit imported by the criminal organisation through fruit companies based in Seville and Alicante were inspected at the aforementioned ports, resulting in the seizure of 1,450 kilos of cocaine.

Following the seizure of the drugs by investigators, they were delivered in a controlled manner, establishing a surveillance operation that began in the port of Algeciras and culminated in the arrest of some of the members of the organisation when they were attempting to unload the merchandise in a warehouse owned by the companies under investigation, located in the town of Redován (Alicante).

Records and effects seized

Subsequently, a large police deployment was carried out to carry out eight raids and searches in several luxury villas and homes of the detainees and in the business headquarters of the companies under investigation, specifically five in the province of Seville (in the towns of Dos Hermanas, Guillena and Utrera), and another three in Elche (Alicante), seizing other narcotic substances (methamphetamine, hashish and marijuana), more than 20,000 euros in cash and 5,000 pounds sterling. In addition, a stolen vehicle and other items commonly used by this type of organisation were recovered, such as encrypted telephones, jammers, night vision goggles, taser guns, balaclavas, etc.

As a result of the police operation, twelve people were arrested and charged with, among other things, crimes of belonging to a criminal organization, drug trafficking, kidnapping, injuries, and illegal possession of weapons. The Court ordered ten of them to be sent to prison. The seized drugs are believed to have been worth more than 40 million euros on the market.