In an industrial zone in the province of Granada, law enforcement officers stopped a truck that at first glance appeared to be carrying only compressed cardboard and paper for recycling. However, hidden beneath this seemingly harmless cargo was a carefully concealed stash of hashish—over 3.2 tons. The driver and his companion were detained at the scene.
The truck’s route began in Melilla, from where it set off for mainland Spain. From the start, police suspected something unusual about the cargo. A special surveillance operation was organized to track the vehicle’s movements, with customs officials also taking part.
After passing through Malaga port, despite attempts to mask the smell of drugs, sniffer dogs quickly detected the illicit cargo. Nevertheless, officers allowed the truck to continue, choosing to detain the suspects at a more convenient location—in Granada, within one of the area’s industrial parks.
Operation Sarcina: details and scale
The ongoing investigation, named Sarcina, continues. According to police, this is among the most significant drug seizures to have originated from Melilla in recent years. In previous raids in the region, groups of couriers have already been detained, including five women who attempted to smuggle about 30 kilograms of hashish through Melilla port by hiding it under their clothes.
In July last year, an even larger case was recorded in Andalusia: more than 15 tons of hashish were seized in the province of Almería, hidden among watermelons and sacks of goods. At the time, police valued the entire haul at tens of millions of euros, and eight people were arrested in connection with the case.
Records and trends
The recent case in Granada has become the largest drug find of the year and ranks among the top five in the country’s history. Experts note that criminal groups are increasingly using sophisticated concealment schemes to hide drugs among regular shipments. Nonetheless, modern control methods and staff expertise help uncover even the most cunning smuggling attempts.
Operation Sarcina is ongoing, and investigators do not rule out further arrests. Authorities stress that fighting drug trafficking remains a top priority for the region.
