Officers from Spain’s Guardia Civil have conducted a large-scale operation in the province of Cádiz, dismantling a criminal group that used drones to transport hashish from Morocco. Eight suspected members have been arrested, and their technical arsenal and drug supplies seized.
The group’s base of operations was located in the small town of Alcalá de los Gazules, where they launched drones at night. The devices, modified to increase their range and payload, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar under cover of darkness. On the Moroccan side, the drones were loaded with hashish before returning to Spain and dropping the packages at predetermined locations near Vejer de la Frontera and Tarifa.
To precisely locate the cargo, group members used geolocation systems, light and sound signals, as well as night vision devices. After the drops, the drugs were quickly picked up and taken to rented rural houses, where they were hidden temporarily before further transport. During searches, authorities found eight drones ready for use and another ten awaiting upgrades.
Technology in the service of crime
The investigation revealed that drones were purchased from Asian companies and then upgraded in a local workshop. Reinforced fuselages and advanced electronic systems allowed these aircraft to cover distances of over 200 kilometers and carry up to 200 kilograms of hashish in a single night. In especially favorable weather conditions, the group would launch up to ten drones at once, making their activities almost undetectable to regular patrols.
During one operation, Guardia Civil officers intercepted a car transporting more than 57 kilograms of hashish delivered by air. Several police officers were injured during the arrest as the suspects resisted.
Operation climax and aftermath
The final stage of the investigation involved a series of raids in Alcalá de los Gazules, Vejer de la Frontera, Algeciras, and San Roque. As a result, 150 kilograms of hashish, 320,000 euros in cash, and a drone modification workshop were seized. All detainees are under investigation for organizing international drug trafficking and illegal use of unmanned aerial vehicles.
This operation became one of the largest in the region in recent years and highlighted how modern technology can be used to bypass traditional border control methods. Spanish and European law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation.
