Major Drug Lord Arrested in Marbella
In a significant police operation, one of the world’s most notorious drug lords, based in Marbella on the Costa Sol, has been apprehended. The operation led to the seizure of 3,400 kilograms of cocaine.
Guardia Civil Intercepts Five Shipments
Guardia Civil officers successfully intercepted five South American shipments destined for the Andalusian port of Algeciras in Cadiz. This resulted in ten property raids and the arrest of 22 individuals. Many of the detainees had previously been arrested in 2021 during another police operation, which resulted in the seizure of 1,600 kilograms of cocaine and 16 million euros in cash.
International and European Arrest Warrants Issued
International and European arrest warrants have been issued for three members of the criminal network, including two businessmen and a port worker at Algeciras, who are still at large. Interpol has also issued a red notice, alerting authorities worldwide to the suspects and granting them the legal authority to arrest them.
Investigation Identifies Key Players
The investigation, which began in August 2022, led to the identification of all individuals responsible for the drugs seized in the five shipments. Among those arrested is the individual believed to be the leader of the organisation and one of the world’s most notorious drug lords.
Arrest of Drug Lord Proves Challenging
Locating and arresting the Marbella-based drug lord proved difficult due to the extreme security measures he employed to avoid detection and surveillance. Despite being the primary target of the 2021 operation, he managed to evade arrest. He was responsible for managing the cocaine consignments hidden in shipping containers from South America to the Port of Algeciras.
Key Players in the Drug Trade
The drug lord’s main partner, a well-known businessman from Campo de Gibraltar, José Carlos S.C., remains at large along with his older brother, Antonio Jesús S.C. They used their logistics companies to transfer the containers from the Port of Algeciras and had contacts at the port to facilitate their illegal activities.
Port Workers Involved in Drug Trade
Several Port of Algeciras workers were involved in the operation, two of whom have been arrested. One of them, Esteban M.H., known as the ‘Messi de la Torre’, is accused of providing privileged information to the criminal organisation due to his position at the port.
Drug Trade Fuels Business Network
The substantial profits made by the brothers José Carlos S.C. and Antonio Jesús S.C. from the cocaine trade enabled them to establish a significant business network at the national level. The network also employed individuals to ensure the operations were secure and the companies used were less likely to be inspected.
Additional Arrests Made
In addition to the organisation’s leaders, 14 other arrests have already been made in connection with the five drug hauls attributed to the criminal organisation. These individuals occupied lower-level positions within the organisation, such as lorry drivers who transported the containers with the hidden drugs and personnel responsible for security during the movement and unloading of the drugs.
