A criminal gang based in Marina Baixa trafficking cocaine hidden in construction machinery from South America has been dismantled

The National Police, in collaboration with the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency, has dismantled a criminal organization trafficking large quantities of cocaine hidden in excavator machinery. The drugs entered through the port of Valencia, originating from South America.

In total, nine individuals have been arrested in this operation, with eight of them remanded in custody. During the searches conducted in La Nucía, Benidorm, and Valencia, 229 packages containing 334 kilograms of the drug were seized, hidden inside construction machinery.

The investigation began last May when a group stealing caravans to introduce them into the market by falsifying their identification elements was dismantled. After arresting these criminals, notes regarding a shipment from Colombia were found. This shipment contained 13 kilograms of cocaine hidden in industrial machinery, destined for Spain.

A few months later, in December, it was confirmed that two containers from Costa Rica related to the investigated organizations had entered the port of Valencia, identified through cooperation with Customs. According to investigative sources, these containers transported industrial machinery parts destined for Castellón.

After two days of relentless work, the National Police's Technical Intervention Operational Group (GOIT) managed to locate 299 packages of cocaine hidden in the machines, with a total weight of 334 kilograms. Following this discovery, six raids were conducted in El Puig de Santa María and Benetusser in Valencia, and in La Nucía and Benidorm, arresting a total of nine individuals for alleged drug trafficking and membership in a criminal organization.

As a result of these raids, three kilograms of methamphetamines were also seized, along with 25,000 euros in cash, nine cars, and false documentation used by the suspects to carry out their operations. One of them had been using false Portuguese documentation since 2019, having developed a new life since then, with a prison sentence issued by the National Court.

The detainees, after the completion of police procedures, have been brought before the courts in Benidorm, with eight of them being remanded in custody. The National Police continues the investigation and does not rule out further arrests.