Spanish police have dismantled a clandestine drug trafficking network linking Morocco to Spain via an underground tunnel discovered in the enclave of Ceuta. This particularly sophisticated infrastructure was used to transport large quantities of hashish into European territory.
According to authorities, the tunnel, concealed beneath an industrial warehouse, extended over three levels. It included an access shaft, an intermediate chamber for pallet storage, and a main passage equipped with a rail system and underground cranes to facilitate drug transport.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 17 tons of hashish and €1,4 million in cash. A total of 27 people were arrested as part of the investigation, illustrating the scale of the dismantled network.
Spain is one of the main entry points for hashish into Europe, due to its geographical proximity to Morocco, one of the world's largest cannabis producers. The enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, in particular, represent the only land borders between the European Union and the African continent.
Typically, this type of drug is smuggled into Spain by sea, using speedboats. The discovery of this tunnel highlights the evolving methods used by criminal networks to circumvent surveillance systems.
Authorities have not specified the street value of the seized drugs, but it could be considerable given the quantities intercepted. This operation represents a significant blow to trafficking networks operating between North Africa and Europe.
This dismantling also highlights the level of sophistication reached by some networks, capable of setting up complex infrastructures for their illicit activities.
In a context of intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking, this case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement against increasingly organized and innovative organizations.
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