Drug dealing hotspot dismantled near UPCT and a school in Cartagena

The National Police have successfully dismantled a major drug trafficking network operating in the Region of Murcia, following the arrest of twelve individuals. Authorities conducted five raids across several properties, seizing significant quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and hashish, as well as firearms and large sums of cash.

The investigation began in July of last year, when narcotics officers detected several suspects believed to be part of the criminal group. After weeks of surveillance and monitoring, it was confirmed that the organisation operated under extreme security measures to avoid detection.

The gang had a hierarchical structure, with a main leader, a trusted inner circle, and various members tasked with security duties, vehicle operation, constructing hidden compartments, and handling drug shipments.

The operation to apprehend the suspects was carried out on 16 January in Roldán (Torre Pacheco), just as two of the main suspects were preparing to carry out a cocaine transaction. During the intervention, one suspect opened fire on the officers, although no injuries were reported.

In total, police executed 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 trafficking, GPS tracking devices, and a taser.

Arrests were made both in the Region of Murcia and in Palma de Mallorca, where one of the group's leaders had fled. Following the operation, the eleven suspects were brought before the court and remanded in custody on charges of drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, attempted murder, assaulting law enforcement officers, and membership of a criminal organisation.