In the Spanish capital, police have carried out an arrest that could become one of the year’s most high-profile events in the fight against international drug trafficking. The spotlight is on a member of the Mexican Sinaloa cartel who, despite a failed attempt to smuggle a large shipment of methamphetamine, continued to receive generous payments for his silence. His monthly income amounted to €2,500 — the price paid to keep details about the 1,800 kilograms of methamphetamine seized in Alicante in spring 2024 secret.
This shipment set a record for Spain and became one of the largest in Europe. But even after such a blow to the drug trade, members of the group were in no hurry to back down. Just a couple of months later, police detected new attempts to re-establish supply routes. This time it involved 30 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside the base of a statue and shipped to Tenerife. The recipient was a well-known local drug dealer, who was also detained.
Operation Saga
The second phase of the operation, codenamed Saga, dealt a major blow to the cartel’s operations in Spain. During large-scale searches and arrests, nine people were taken into custody. Among them was the Sinaloa member who had been hiding in a Madrid apartment and was responsible for the storage and logistics of the record-breaking methamphetamine shipment. His role in the organization was crucial: he not only ensured the security of the cargo but also maintained silence in exchange for a steady salary.
Among those detained was an entrepreneur linked to the marble business. Police discovered a bunker with three million euros in cash at his warehouse premises. In addition, the leader of a group of drug couriers who coordinated operations between Mexico and Dubai was arrested. Three of the nine suspects have already been remanded in custody. They have been charged with forming a criminal organization, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
Methamphetamine in Europe
Although methamphetamine use in Europe has not yet reached the scale seen in US or Asian markets, there are already worrying signs. Consumption is surging in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and now in Spain. Experts note that methamphetamine is one of the most destructive narcotic substances, surpassed only by heroin and crack in terms of consequences. It causes severe addiction, provokes psychosis, and leads to serious physical disorders. Doctors and police do not hide their concerns: if the trend continues, Spain could face a new wave of drug dependency, similar to the heroin epidemic of previous decades.
In recent years, authorities have intensified control over supply routes, but Mexican cartels continue to look for new avenues. Their methods have become increasingly sophisticated: drugs are hidden in furniture, statues, and building materials. This time, the shipment was camouflaged so skillfully that discovering it without inside information would have been nearly impossible.
International connections
The Sinaloa cartel and its main rival, Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), have long expanded beyond Mexico. Their interests now extend into Europe, where they are seeking to establish themselves in new markets. In November 2025, police carried out another major operation, this time targeting CJNG. Twenty people were arrested, including two high-profile suspects who had been on the radar of the US DEA. One is an Italian citizen, the other from Colombia. Italian Camorra members involved in international drug logistics were also implicated in the operation.
These events highlight the close ties between various criminal organizations. Spain has become not only a transit point for them, but also a promising sales market. However, local police have shown they are ready to respond: arrests, seizures, uncovering secret bunkers holding millions of euros—all are part of a daily struggle, where the stakes rise higher every year.
New challenges
The methamphetamine situation in Spain is an alarming signal for all of Europe. While the scale of the problem does not yet match that of the United States, its growth is troubling. Cartels are stopping at nothing to regain lost ground. Their methods are becoming more sophisticated and their networks increasingly international. There is no room for illusions in this fight: the stakes are high and there can be no losers.
