The Guardia Civil has arrested seven people under an investigation called Operation 'CADCAN', which has been carried out in Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Madrid and Huelva, dismantling a criminal organization in the process that specialized in drug trafficking between mainland Spain and the Canary Islands.
The detainees are all related to the seizure of 20 kilograms of cocaine, 100 grams of Crystal Meth (methamphetamine) and three kilos of phenacetin, a substance used to cut drugs, as reported by the Guardia Civil in an official press release.
The investigation began in March 2020 after agents became suspicious of a male from the Dominican Republic, who was confirmed as a cocaine dealer on the island. Upon further investigation they found out that the man in question was leading a criminal organization in Lanzatote, and that he had direct links with different parts of mainland Spain.
Agents verified that the organization were using a high number of vehicles prepared with false floors to hide the drugs, and distributed them through several islands and Madrid, having up to 22 cars travelling through different ports at any one time.
After analyzing all the information obtained and fully identifying the members of the group, it was possible to know how due to the mobility restrictions derived from Covid-19, the number of journeys with these vehicles had decreased “considerably”, although they resumed their activity at the end of last year, which meant investigators had a "more exhaustive" control of their movements.
This made it possible to verify that the organization had its main base in Lanzarote, although they had members on the islands of Fuerteventura and Tenerife, and also had “strong support” in Madrid as a starting point for the drugs.
Likewise, the agents were able to find out how they had several homes on the three islands, which were used as drug coves and temporary accommodation for their members. In addition, in one of them there was a laboratory for producing crystal meth.
Stopping and searching all the cars was more difficult due to the multiple locations and measures they went to, to conceal the contraband. For example, at the Huelva dock, two cars that were bound for the Canary Islands were detected with 13 and 2.3 kilograms of cocaine in them, respectively.
After these seizures, the main members of the organization considered the possibility of leaving the country to avoid possible arrests, a reason that forced the agents to immediately exploit the operation and arrest those responsible as alleged perpetrators of Crimes against Public Health, Belonging to a Criminal Organization and illegal possession of weapons.
Several house searches were also carried out, where more quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine were intervened, cutting substances such as phenacetin, 23,000 euros in cash, and a pistol ready for use, in addition to a hydraulic press and all kinds of moulds and accessories necessary to cut cocaine.
