Gardaí help dismantle international drug operation led by the 'Wikipedia Narco'
Spanish authorities say an added complexity in the operation was 'avoiding the kidnapping and attempted murder of a member of the rival network as a matter of settling scores'. iStock
Gardaí have taken part in an international operation — led by Spanish authorities — that has "dismantled" one of the biggest drug trafficking networks based in Spain.
Ireland was one of a number of countries that was able to assist Spanish investigators in the operation, with was aided by the EU drug-trafficking agency MAOC-N as well as the US DEA.
The gang is led by 'the Wikipedia Narco' according to Spanish authorities.
The operation, conducted by the Customs Surveillance Section of the Spanish Tax Agency and the Spanish National Police, resulted in:
- 30 people arrested and 23 searches;
- Assets worth tens of million euro seized;
- 1.17 tonnes of cocaine seized from a sailboat travelling from Suriname, South America, to Valencia, Spain;
- Another tonne of cocaine prevented from being sent.
The Spanish Tax Agency said:
“The investigation has had the collaboration of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the USA, the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom and the police of the Netherlands, France, and Ireland, in addition to the CITCO, the MAOC-N and the Spanish navy."
CITCO is the Spanish Intelligence Center for Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) is understood to have assisted in the lengthy investigation leading to the mass arrests.
In a statement, the Spanish Tax Agency said the investigation began in mid-2022, when several people close to the leader of the organisation were identified. They turned out to be experienced criminals from Eastern Europe.
“After the communications of several members of the criminal group were intercepted, it was found that they had a boat that had been purchased for the value of one euro,” the statement said.
It said police investigations, along with the discovery of various transactions, allowed agents to locate the sailboat in the Canary Islands.
“The work of international police cooperation was key to developing surveillance and observing the members responsible for the transportation of narcotics on the transatlantic journey,” it said.
“In addition, the transfer of packages from one vessel to another was also observed, so the boarding of the two sailboats could subsequently be carried out.”
It said 1.165kg of cocaine was seized. The statement continued:
It said the “mastermind” had “almost ten million euro” to his credit, which allowed him to finance the transportation of the cocaine and the expenses entailed, as well as payments to other members of the organization.
“In addition to his criminal career over the last 30 years, within the criminal sphere he was known as the 'Wikipedia Narco' for recounting his drug trafficking operations on various internet portals,” the statement said.
“The main detainee had a second trusted person who was in charge of logistics functions and the preparation of the ships, and was also the direct link with the crew.”
It said the top suspect had barricaded himself into his house and when confronted by agents “pointed a shotgun at them”.
Searches related to the Wikipedia Narco resulted in the seizure of:
- 3 boats valued at €4.2m;
- 44 vehicles;
- 40 luxury watches;
- 60 works of art;
- 54 mobile phones;
- A virtual cryptocurrency wallet;
- 3 weapons;
- 44 properties seized;
- 74 bank accounts blocked.
The statement said: “One of the greatest complexities of the investigation has been avoiding the kidnapping and attempted murder of a member of the rival network as a matter of settling scores.”
In a separate statement, MAOC-N said: "A joint operation conducted by the Spanish Customs’ Surveillance service and National Police has resulted in a significant blow against a Spanish-based organised crime group, responsible for introducing several tons of cocaine in Europe by sea.
“The leader of this criminal group has been arrested along with several other members of the organisation. The Spanish authorities were also able to seize three vessels, several luxury cars and watches, weapons, phones, and a significant amount of cash.”
