More than 1,000 kilos of cocaine hidden inside fruits and juices seized in a joint operation in Portugal and Spain, the Spanish tax agency reported.
This seizure followed an investigation initiated months ago by the judicial authorities after they became aware of the existence of an organization that was smuggling large quantities of cocaine from South America, according to police sources.
The investigation made it possible to detect that the criminal organization used effective methods of concealment of the narcotic substance to introduce it into European territory and that, in turn, it could be using Spanish ports for its operations.
With the information provided by the Portuguese authorities, agents of the National Police began investigations in Spanish territory to detect the activities of the organization in the country. In this way, it was detected that another shipment of the drug could be underway destined for a Galician port.
In the raid, the agents inspected a container coming from Brazil, inside which they found pulpless melons filled with cocaine. The acting units proceeded to seize a total of 490 kilos of cocaine.
Furthermore, the investigations carried out by Portugal’s police led to the seizure in a Portuguese port of a shipment of 535 kilos of cocaine that was hidden inside juice containers.
The operation has resulted in the arrest of three people in Portuguese territory, who have been placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities, and one of them has been remanded in custody.
According to the press release, the case is still open in Spain where investigations continue, and further arrests are not ruled out.
