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Date Published: 24/02/2023

ARCHIVED - Alicante police deal major blow to drug trafficking in the province and in the UK

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The criminal gang is also believed to be behind a spate of robberies in the Marina Alta region of Alicante province

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Alicante police deal major blow to drug trafficking in the province and in the UK

In a province-wide sting involving 150 police officers, a criminal gang involved in the cultivation and trafficking of drugs to the UK as well as home break-ins has been dismantled and 19 people of varying ages and nationalities arrested.

The Guardia Civil carried out 21 searches of properties across the province, and seized 70,000 euros, seven vehicles, several firearms, more than 600 marijuana plants, different quantities of cocaine and hashish, as well as computer devices and jewellery.

Many of the items seized "prove" the gang's links to robberies in the Marina Alta area, according to police sources.

The investigation began a few months ago, when the Guardia Civil in Moraira became aware of "relatively significant drug trafficking" in the town and set up surveillance of suspects.

Having obtained sufficient evidence, they brought the matter to the attention of the Denia Court and operation 'Lake 23' was initiated.

In the early hours of February 21, after receiving court authorisation, simultaneous raids were carried out and arrests made by Guardia unts of Moraira, Calpe, San Vicente and Torrevieja, with the support of Alicante and Torrevieja's Citizen Security Units of the Command (USECIC), and sniffer dogs.

Of the 19 people arrested, 17 are men and two women, aged between 18 and 62 and of different nationalities. With regard to the searches, 14 were carried out in Teulada and Moraira; two in Benissa and the rest in Senija, Absubia, Elche and San Fulgencio.

As well as the items listed above, officers confiscated several forged personal documents, linked to different identities, which were used by the members of the organisation.

"With this operation, six cocaine and marijuana sales points have been dismantled in Teulada and Moraira, as well as the network of drug sales abroad, with which the criminal group multiplied its income, providing them with a high standard of living in Spain," said police.

The detainees are charged with a crime against public health, marijuana cultivation and drug trafficking, burglary of homes and vehicles, illegal possession of weapons, forgery of documents, identity theft and membership of a criminal organisation.

One of the detainees is subject to a warrant for extradition and imprisonment issued by his undisclosed country.

Other news: Alicante fire rescue dog sniffs out missing 80-year-old woman

Images: Guardia Civil

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