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The investigation began in 2023 and has led to the arrest of 15 individuals in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia.
The Mossos d’Esquadra and the Civil Guard have dismantled two criminal organizations, one for the introduction of drugs and prohibited items such as mobile phones in the largest prison in Tarragona, and another for trafficking up to 100 kilograms of cocaine per month in Catalonia and various points in the Valencian community, resulting in 15 arrests (7 in prison) and four individuals under investigation.
The first investigation began in July 2023 when the Mossos detected an organization dedicated to smuggling substances such as cocaine, hashish, and heroin, as well as the mobile phone Xavier Tenorio.
The worker, with «years of experience and knowledge of the operation and prison mechanisms,» worked on behalf of the gang leader and interacted with various drug distributors and materials, which he then smuggled into the prison through packages.
Investigators conducted a financial study of his bank accounts and detected income of over 70,000 euros in cash from ATMs, the origin of which could not be justified.
Link with the other gang
After the initial investigations, the Mossos and the Civil Guard decided to coordinate a joint team to investigate a second gang, related to the first through meetings that the prison official and the leaders of the other organization held for drug trafficking, as detailed by the Armed Institute commander Daniel Robles.
From this second investigation, a man living in Salou (Tarragona) emerged, with a «high capacity» to distribute drugs in Catalonia, La Rioja, Zaragoza, Valencia, Castellón, and Teruel, estimated to sell an average of 100 kilograms of cocaine per month, potentially generating up to 25 million euros per year.
Investigators identified a highly «hierarchical» criminal organization in which transporters played a crucial role, using vehicles with hidden compartments to store and transport drugs for sale.
In fact, gang members drove «normal and luxurious» brand cars to a trusted mechanic, who modified vehicles with hydraulic compartments that could be opened and closed by mobile phone to conceal the drugs and avoid detection in case of a police check.
Regarding the members’ profiles, they were entrepreneurs in the catering and nightlife industry in southern Tarragona without criminal records, conducting their criminal activities parallel to their business without raising any suspicion, explained one of the Catalan police investigators, Raul Ortega.
Entries, searches, and arrests
Following the instructions for conducting the raids safely, the joint operation intercepted a transport for drug purchase and 200,000 euros on January 7 this year in Salou; then, on March 28, investigators arrested a vehicle on the AP-7 with hidden cocaine.
After locating this car, they seized 15 kilograms of «high-purity» cocaine and conducted two home searches where they found two money counting machines, 342,000 euros, a revolver, ammunition for firearms, various drugs, and documentation.
Considering the actions, the organization’s leader and the transporter, aged 44 and 54 respectively, were arrested as alleged perpetrators of drug trafficking, illegal possession of weapons, and membership of a criminal organization.
On the other hand, on April 14, a new operation was carried out to dismantle the members of the first gang, resulting in four arrests, including the prison official and two inmates from the center who collaborated with him.
Finally, on May 6, it was decided to conduct seven entries and searches in locations in Tarragona and the Valencian community to fully dismantle the second gang, with seven arrests aged between 43 and 58, seizure of firearms and cash, as well as dismantling the workshop where they modified the cars.