Criminal organisation dismantled in Cartagena with twelve arrested for drug trafficking

The National Police have dismantled a major criminal organisation dedicated to drug trafficking in Cartagena, following the arrest of twelve people.
Officers carried out five searches across different properties, seizing large quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and hashish, along with firearms and substantial amounts of cash.

The investigation began in July last year, when specialised narcotics officers detected individuals suspected of being part of the group. After weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, it was confirmed that the organisation operated with strict security measures to avoid detection.

The group had a hierarchical structure, comprising a main leader, a trusted core team, and other members assigned to tasks such as providing security, driving vehicles, constructing hidden compartments, and managing the receipt and storage of drugs.

The police operation to apprehend the suspects took place on 16 January in Roldán (Torre Pacheco), when two key members were about to complete a cocaine transaction.
During the intervention, one of the suspects opened fire on officers, but fortunately, no one was injured.

In total, police conducted five searches across Cartagena, Torre Pacheco, and Águilas, resulting in the seizure of:

• 3 kilograms of cocaine
• 6 kilograms of marijuana
• 1.5 kilograms of hashish
• Over €35,000 in cash
• A sawn-off shotgun
• A semi-automatic pistol
• Ammunition
• Vehicles modified for drug transport
• GPS devices
• A taser

Arrests were made in both the Region of Murcia and Palma de Mallorca, where one of the leaders had fled.
Following the arrests, the eleven suspects were brought before the courts and remanded in custody on charges of drug trafficking, illegal possession of weapons, attempted murder, assaulting police officers, and belonging to a criminal organisation.