In the Spanish capital, authorities have dismantled a criminal group that was organizing international drug shipments using regular delivery services. During a large-scale operation, police arrested 14 people linked to the organization and seized more than 14 kilograms of illegal substances, along with large sums of cash, weapons, and valuables. The gang members went to great lengths to disguise the drugs in order to avoid detection during transport.
The operation began when a logistics company noticed a suspicious package intended for shipment to Venezuela. Inside an inflatable pool, hundreds of tablets and crystals of synthetic drugs were found. This discovery became the starting point for an investigation, revealing that the criminal network had been active since last year, using a variety of objects to conceal illicit substances.
Concealment tactics and global reach of shipments
The perpetrators showed remarkable ingenuity, hiding drugs in the most unexpected items. Seized goods included pet toys, car parts, boxes of candy, and even hydraulic jacks. One package sent to Australia contained cocaine hidden inside the tubes of a cat scratching post. Another shipment headed to Chile included thousands of MDMA tablets disguised as harmless objects.
Police carried out searches in several cities within the autonomous community of Madrid, including Collado-Mediano, Parla, and Coslada, as well as in Peñíscola (Peñíscola) in the province of Castellón. During the raids, officers uncovered not only drugs but also an entire infrastructure for packaging and shipping them: professional equipment, modified car parts, a collection of luxury accessories, and cash.
Arsenal and financial flows
During the operation, police officers seized not only drugs but also a significant arsenal. Seven firearms, four knives, and 18 mobile phones used for coordinating activities were discovered. In addition, more than 11,000 euros in cash were found in the possession of the detainees, as well as luxury watches, jewelry, designer bags, and sunglasses.
To conceal the drugs, the criminals modified car parts, such as shock absorbers, and used them to transport illegal substances. An industrial packaging machine was also seized, highlighting the scale of the group’s operations. All these findings confirm the gang’s high level of organization and technical sophistication.
Further investigation and the fate of the detainees
After the arrest, all 14 members of the criminal group were placed at the disposal of the court. Four of them have already been sent to a pre-trial detention center on charges of participating in a criminal organization and violating drug laws. Remarkably, one of the organizers continued to coordinate shipment of packages while in prison, awaiting extradition.
The investigation is ongoing: police are analyzing seized mobile phones and documents to uncover additional connections and possible new episodes of criminal activity. The operation was one of the biggest blows against the international drug trade operating out of Madrid and highlighted the sophisticated methods modern criminal groups employ.
