The Spanish National Police, in collaboration with the General Directorate of National Security of Morocco, announced on Tuesday the dismantling of a criminal organization involved in the transportation of 9,300 kilograms of hashish concealed within shipments of yellow melons known as “swehila.”
According to an official statement from the police, investigations began last July after indicators revealed the presence of a criminal organization linked to Spain and Morocco, which planned to use a shipping vehicle to transport hashish to Spanish territory via the ports of Tangier and La Línea.
Investigators discovered that the cargo consisted of wooden boxes of yellow melons hiding 9,300 kilograms of hashish. As a result, authorities seized the truck with its refrigerated compartment, along with two escort vehicles, and arrested six individuals who were promptly jailed on charges of belonging to a criminal organization and drug trafficking.
In a parallel investigation launched last August, police obtained information indicating that an individual would use a van loaded with furniture to transport narcotics from Tangier port to La Línea. As investigations progressed, the vehicle was located on September 5 after arriving at the port, eventually continuing its journey to Málaga.
During transit, investigators noted the presence of an escort vehicle carrying two individuals, serving as a security measure to alert of any police presence or surveillance, allowing for alternative routes to avoid detection. Upon arrest, it was found that the van was carrying furniture concealing narcotics in fabric bags and other plastic-wrapped items, as well as double-bottomed compartments.
The operation concluded with the seizure of 1,825 kilograms of hashish, over 14,000 euros in cash, four vehicles, eight mobile phones, and the arrest of four individuals on charges of belonging to a criminal organization and drug trafficking.
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