A criminal organization suspected of international drug trafficking through postal and courier companies has been dismantled by the Guardia Civil in Spain.
Five people, three men and two women, were arrested during the operation, while authorities seized 172.5 kilograms of various narcotics and 26 thousand euros in cash.
The Valencia-based organization is suspected of receiving orders via encrypted communication platforms and then preparing the drugs in packages, which were sent to customers via postal services and courier companies. The investigation began after a package containing 100 grams of MDMA, which originated in Valencia, was seized in Ghana.
From the investigative actions, the Spanish authorities managed to identify a wider criminal network, as well as a laboratory used for the processing and packaging of narcotic substances in the areas of La Costera and Canal de Navarre.
According to the Guardia Civil, the organization began operating in 2025 and carried out international shipments almost every week. In total, investigators have identified around 1,500 shipments, which have reached almost all provinces of Spain and more than 45 countries around the world. Among the destinations of the shipments were Italy, Hungary, Romania, Australia, the United States, Thailand, Taiwan and Sri Lanka. During searches of properties in the areas of Anna and Alcudia de Crespins, in the province of Valencia, on 9 September, the Guardia Civil discovered and dismantled the laboratory used by the group, as well as the premises where the drugs were stored and prepared for transport.
The operation seized 116.5 kilograms of ketamine, 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, 6.9 kilograms of cocaine, 8.8 kilograms of hashish and 1 kilogram of heroin. Authorities also found around 20 doses of LSD, 20.85 kilograms of other substances, 25 kilograms of suspected counterfeit materials and 41 kilograms of chemical ingredients suspected of being used in the production of drugs.
In addition to the narcotics, police seized 26 euros in cash, scales and equipment used for processing, packaging and sending packages. The five arrested are Spanish citizens, aged between 18 and 44. Four of them were remanded in custody, while one was released on bail. They are accused of drug trafficking, membership in a criminal organisation and identity theft.
The operation was carried out by the Anti-Organized Crime and Drugs Unit (EDOA), in cooperation with international authorities. Several of the shipments were identified and blocked in Romania and Hungary, while the recipient of one of them was arrested.
Cooperation with the Dutch authorities was carried out through Europol, while the Spanish postal service Correos helped identify and block the packages that were still waiting to be sent. The authorities continue their investigations to fully uncover the organization's activity and the international network of people involved in drug trafficking.
