Two residents of Tenerife have been arrested at Barcelona’s Estación del Norte after National Police officers discovered more than 10 kilograms of high-purity heroin concealed in the false bottom of a suitcase.
The arrests were carried out as part of Spain’s anti-terrorism prevention plan, with riot police stationed at key transport hubs including bus and train terminals.
According to a statement released by the National Police today, Monday, the detainees were a drug mule and their escort, both from the Canary Islands. They had recently travelled to Düsseldorf, Germany, and returned to Spain by coach, a pattern that aroused the suspicion of authorities due to the unusual nature and timing of the trip.
Police explained that escorts accompanying drug mules often serve a dual role: ensuring the transporter does not attempt to flee or dispose of the narcotics, and monitoring the journey to guarantee the safe delivery of the drugs. These escorts are typically high-ranking members of trafficking networks who pose as unconnected fellow passengers on the same bus, train, or flight.
According to the police press release, the arrests took place on 24th March, when officers identified a male passenger arriving from Düsseldorf and noticed his extensive travel history between Africa and Spain, with several layovers across Asia and Europe. The man, a Tenerife resident, became visibly nervous and evasive when questioned about his itinerary.
Further investigation revealed that another Tenerife resident was also on the same bus. He had flown from the Canary Islands to Düsseldorf only to return immediately by road, a move that raised further red flags. Police questioned the men separately, during which both became increasingly anxious and gave conflicting accounts.
Officers then searched their luggage and found a suitcase with a hidden compartment containing seven tightly wrapped yellow packages. Laboratory analysis confirmed the contents as 10.3 kilograms of high-purity heroin.
Following their arrest, both were remanded in custody by court order. The operation has triggered a wider investigation, now being carried out jointly with law enforcement agencies in Germany and France, as authorities work to uncover the broader drug trafficking network behind the operation.
