The Civil Guard and the National Police have arrested the leader of one of the most active drug trafficking networks in Spain in a joint operation in which a total of 17 people have been arrested and in which a total of 23 entries and searches have been carried out; in addition, 14 properties, 38 vehicles and 24 boats have been seized. The leader of the criminal group, known as "El Buque", is a high-value target for European police forces.
The arrest of "El Buque" culminates an investigation lasting more than a year that has also allowed the dismantling of the entire structure of the criminal organization, with the arrest of all its members for drug trafficking and membership of a criminal organization.
The dismantled network specialized in introducing large quantities of cocaine into Spanish territory through boats. To this end, this group had strong links at the international level, with a presence mainly in the southern area of Gran Canaria, and used sophisticated methods to hide the drugs, with shipments of several tons in each operation.
As a result of the exploitation of this operation, around 100 kilograms of cocaine and another 100 of hashish have been seized, after two chases by the police forces on the high seas. Also, 24 boats have been seized.
Seventeen operations in the Canary Islands
In addition, 17 arrests have been made so far in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in La Gomera and Fuerteventura, as well as 23 entries and searches in different judicial districts of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and La Gomera.
Large sums of money and 14 properties have been placed at the disposal of the National Court and a total of 38 vehicles have been seized. Finally, numerous computer and documentary material has been seized for subsequent analysis.
The investigation has been carried out by the Central Investigating Court number six and has had the support of the Special Anti-Drug Prosecutor's Office of the National Court. On the other hand, the operation has had the support of the NCA (National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom), the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States), EUROPOL, the MAOC-N (Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics) and the CITCO (Intelligence Centre against Terrorism and Organized Crime).
All these institutions have been fundamental to follow the transnational movements of the organization and intercept their communications in critical phases of the investigation
