The Spanish National Police announced the arrest of twenty individuals and the dismantling of two criminal networks involved in smuggling cannabis from Morocco to Europe as part of a large-scale operation named “Radnor.”
The operation resulted in the seizure of 22 tons of cannabis, meticulously concealed inside refrigerated trucks loaded with “green peppers,” arriving from Morocco via the port of Algeciras in southern Spain.
Conducted over three days, the operation concluded on October 21. It was the outcome of close cooperation between the security and judicial authorities of Morocco and Spain, as indicated in an official statement from the Spanish police on Wednesday, October 29.
### Seizure of Trucks in Cádiz and Granada
The EFE agency reported that security data revealed the drugs were hidden in secret compartments within the trailers, behind boxes of green peppers, to avoid detection during customs or security inspections.
The trucks were intercepted in the provinces of Cádiz and Granada, where the networks intended to unload the shipments for distribution within Europe.
The police explained that part of the drugs was packaged in small, colorful wrappers resembling chocolate boxes to market them attractively, targeting the youth demographic.
### Investigation Initiated by Moroccan Coordination
According to EFE, investigations began following intelligence provided by Moroccan authorities regarding attempts by international trafficking networks to transport large quantities of cannabis into Europe via refrigerated trucks. One of the trucks was monitored upon its arrival at the port of Algeciras and tracked to a property in the Sanlúcar de Barrameda area (Cádiz).
During the operation conducted on October 21, police seized 12 tons of cannabis hidden behind a shipment of green peppers in the trailer and arrested 15 individuals involved.
### Second Shipment from Tangier
Just three days later, security forces thwarted a second smuggling operation from the port of Tangier to Algeciras.
After meticulous surveillance, the truck arrived at an industrial warehouse in northern Granada, where eight additional tons of cannabis were discovered in a wooden hiding place concealed behind boxes of vegetables, leading to the arrest of five more individuals.
### Significant Outcome and Successful Security Cooperation
Overall, the operation resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals who were jailed on charges of international drug trafficking and belonging to a criminal organization. Additionally, nine vehicles (including trucks, trailers, and cars), an automatic pistol, and over seven thousand euros in cash were seized.
The Spanish police confirmed that this operation represents a significant blow to cross-border drug trafficking networks, praising the close collaboration with Morocco’s Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) and the public prosecutor’s office at the appeals court in Tangier, under the supervision of the specialized prosecutor for drug trafficking in Algeciras.
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