Spain Cops Bust 5 Brits And 3t Hash In UK Smuggle Plot

Story ByAna LacasaSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyCentral European News 

Video Credit: CEN

Spanish cops have teamed up with the National Crime Agency to arrest five UK nationals suspected of trying to smuggle up to three tonnes of hashish into the UK on boats from Spain.

The Spanish Civil Guard made the arrests in the port of Fuengirola, in the southern Spanish province of Malaga, Andalusia region, from where the drug was allegedly being taken to the United Kingdom.

Picture Credit: CEN

A police press statement has confirmed that people allegedly belonging to the drug smuggling have been arrested, among them the leaders and those in charge of moving and distributing the hashish.

They have been charged with drug trafficking, belonging to a criminal gang and smuggling of tobacco, the Civil Guard reported.

According to the Spanish Civil Guard, they seized three tonnes of cannabis in hashish form, although it is currently unclear how much of that exactly was destined for the UK.

The operation started after cops found a boat with two people on board was allegedly passing packages of hashish to a boat bearing a British flag, according to the Civil Guard.

Picture Credit: CEN

In the video, the suspects can be seen moving packages between the boats before they are arrested.

Four arrests were made at the scene, with three tonnes of hashish reportedly seized along with 1,590 GBP and several smartphones.

After the initial arrests, the investigation continued and it was found the organisation had hired the dock in the port of Fuengirola where they reportedly loaded an unspecified amount of the drugs to take them to the United Kingdom.

Two more people – both reportedly British nationals – were identified as belonging to the gang. They were allegedly in charge of managing the logistics of the operation.

One of them was arrested while driving a van carrying suitcases and sport bags where 4,595 packets of tobacco were seized. The other one is still a fugitive and there is an arrest warrant in their name.

The vessels are reportedly being held in a warehouse under the control of the judiciary.

A spokesperson for the Civil Guard told Central European News (CEN) that a judge would decide “if they are extradited or not.” They also declined to release the names and ages of the suspects.

The operation was carried out with the cooperation of the National Crime Agency.

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