In a long-running investigation supported by Europol, police authorities in Belgium, Colombia and Spain have broken up a criminal group that organized the smuggling of large quantities of cocaine from Colombia to the European Union.
During that operation, which began in April last year, the national authorities arrested a total of 32 suspects, including the leader of that cartel, and a total of 5,8 tons of cocaine were seized in Colombia (Cartagena and Barranquilla) and on European soil - in Spain (Barcelona and Valencia). and Belgium (Antwerp).
Europol explains that the action was coordinated by their operational working group.
"This operation followed the arrest of two high-ranking Camorra fugitives, who were detained in October in Colombia, as part of different investigations. The international cooperation established between Europol and strategic countries of South America, such as Colombia, proved to be crucial for the progress of major investigations and the dismantling criminal cartels that smuggle tons of cocaine to Europe. This cooperation is a basic element of successful police actions targeting drug trafficking and serious and organized criminal networks, which affects the safety of citizens in EU and beyond," Europol said.
They explain that on November 5, at the end of the operation, six suspects were arrested in Colombia - in Barranquilla, Cartagena, Medellin and El Guam, that they searched five houses, confiscated mobile phones and documents.
In addition to the six arrested that day, 26 more suspects were detained in Colombia and Spain last year, and valuable movable and immovable property was confiscated, except for 5,8 tons of cocaine.
"The investigation, conducted under the auspices of Europol's operational task force, began in April 2023, with a focus on identifying the network's modus operandi and the identity of its members. An analysis of operational data collected during the seizure determined that most of the group's members are located in Spain and Colombia. During the recent operation, the National Police of Colombia arrested people who played key roles in the organization.Among the six suspects are the alleged leader, the financiers, the coordinators of the smuggling operations, corrupt officials and workers in the logistics chain," said Europol.
They point out that the investigation revealed that the cartel smuggled significant quantities of cocaine using commercial ships.
"The suspects used different maritime routes, hiding cocaine in containers and sending cargo to European ports from several Colombian ports, such as Cartagena and Barranquilla. Maritime transport and commercial ships play a key role in the export of narcotics on a large scale. Members of the criminal group cooperated with corrupt officials to avoid police and customs controls during the various stages of smuggling. The identification and arrest of these corrupt officials was crucial to breaking the entire chain of command and logistics of the cartel." it is clarified.
Europol points out that during the investigation they coordinated the exchange of information between national authorities, enabling them to effectively uncover the entire drug smuggling network.
"Europol also provided continuous intelligence development and analysis to support investigators. This data allowed the authorities to gain a complete picture of the clandestine network that operated in different countries and continents. The intelligence provided by Europol contributed to some seizures during the investigations "During the operations, Europol sent experts to Colombia to provide analytical and technical support to the field units," the agency said.
The National Police of Colombia, the Federal Police of Belgium and the Spanish Civil Guard were also involved in the action.
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