In Almería province, officers from the Civil Guard launched a large-scale operation that led to the discovery and seizure of 1.5 tons of cocaine—the largest find of its kind in the region’s history. The stash was hidden in a residential home in La Puebla de Vícar, where 16 people with suspected ties to an organized crime group were also arrested.
During the raids, law enforcement found not only drugs but also five firearms, a substantial amount of cash, as well as luxury cars and items. Among the seized property were 24 high-end watches, encrypted mobile phones, precision scales, and equipment to block tracking. All this points to a highly-organized criminal operation.
Investigation and gang structure
The operation began back in May, when an underground greenhouse complex with hundreds of marijuana plants was discovered in a rural area. Documents found on-site led investigators to a group whose members had close ties to each other and a defined hierarchy. The leader, known as ‘the boss’ or ‘the king,’ coordinated all activities, and most participants were relatives and Spanish nationals.
The investigation found that the criminals used several properties in different municipalities — Pechina, La Mojonera, Roquetas de Mar, Viator, Vícar, and El Ejido. Some locations were used to grow marijuana, while others served for storing and packaging cocaine, as well as for its distribution.
Scale of the operation and consequences
Around 120 law enforcement officers participated in the operation. Simultaneous raids were conducted at several homes and apartments, allowing authorities to detain all key suspects. A particular focus was the discovery in La Puebla de Vícar: hundreds of cocaine packets marked with various stickers, which investigators believe indicates distribution among different buyers.
Experts estimate the street value of the seized cocaine at between 45 and 90 million euros, depending on how it would have been sold. It remains unclear whether the shipment was intended for the domestic market or for export. Alongside this case, the fight against drug trafficking in the region continues: over the past year, 50 operations have taken place, more than 260 people have been arrested, over 400,000 marijuana plants, hundreds of firearms, dozens of vehicles, and large quantities of fuel have been seized.
Ongoing investigation
Authorities emphasize that Operation Lukenan has become a key part of a comprehensive strategy to combat organized crime in Andalusia. The investigation is ongoing: experts are analyzing the purity of the seized substance and looking into possible international connections of the group. New details of the case are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
