Police smash drugs trucks to Sweden route
Europol helped out in the international investigation
SPANISH and Swedish National Police, supported by Europol, have dismantled a criminal network allegedly transporting drugs via trucks between the two countries
Swedish authorities initiated the investigation into the network in 2019, after establishing a link between a money laundering case and suspected members of this drug trafficking network, some of them in Alicante, according to a Europol spokesman.
From this moment, and following various European warrants processed by the Spanish High Court, the investigation was launched in Spain in September last year, added a National Police spokesman in this country.
The gang members purchased various legal goods and exported them to other countries in trucks as a cover for concealing drugs in the vehicles, explained Europol.
Swedish authorities identified two such shipments, one consisting of 200 kilos of cannabis bound for Gothenburg, and another of 300 kilos of cannabis headed for Stockholm.
The two shipments were intercepted at their destinations and all the marijuana was seized, as well as another one in Bordeaux with 142kg of the drug, the police spokesman noted.
This led to the arrests of six suspects in Sweden, as well as a seventh suspect in Spain, and seizures including more than €200,000 in cash, jewellery, watches and electronic equipment
Two weeks after these arrests, authorities detected another drug shipment, and instigated a special operation, said Europol.
The National Police pointed out that this shipment had been carried out by a network of Lithuanian truck drivers related to the operation. Officers followed the truck to Alicante, where it stopped and merchandise was unloaded then later was put back on board.
Certain that this was when drugs destined for other European countries had also been loaded, detectives decided to intercept the vehicle, which they did on its arrival in Castellón de la Plana, leading to the seizure of 44kg of marijuana and the arrests of the two drivers.
The following day, additional accomplices involved were tracked down and a search of a related home uncovered the indoor cultivation of cannabis and saw seizures of 250 marijuana plants, as well as 8kg of buds which had already been harvested.
In total, Spanish and Swedish authorities arrested 14 individuals (seven in Spain and seven in Sweden) for their suspected involvement in this drug trafficking network. Previously, five other suspects connected to this network were arrested in Sweden.
The operation remains open and officers are still investigating other networks involved in this sort of shipment, the police spokesman added.
Europol facilitated the exchange of information and provided tailor-made 24/7 tactical and analytical support, as well as supporting the operational coordination related to this investigation.