POLICE are hunting a gang of heavily armed drug traffickers who opened fire on officers during a dawn raid on the Costa del Sol early this morning.
Detectives from the Policia Nacional were ambushed as they swooped on a warehouse used to store drug boats and fuel in Velez-Malaga.
The specialist anti-drug unit, known as Udyco (Drugs and Organised Crime Unit), had been monitoring the industrial site amid suspicions a major drop-off was about to take place.
As officers moved in to arrest a 51-year-old man at the entrance to the building, two vehicles carrying five men suddenly arrived at the scene.
The gang did not hesitate to open fire at the officers in a bid to thwart the arrest.
A dramatic gunfight broke out, but miraculously no police officers were injured in the exchange of bullets.
The attackers then fled the scene, with their two getaway cars colliding with each other as they sped away from the warehouse.
A terrifying high-speed chase ensued down the A7 motorway heading towards Malaga.
The fleeing suspects caused severe danger to other motorists on the road and even knocked a motorcyclist to the ground, though he fortunately escaped unharmed.
A massive search operation is currently underway across the province to track down the gunmen, who remain at large.
Despite the chaos, officers successfully detained the 51-year-old suspect at the warehouse.
A woman was also arrested a few hours later for her alleged role as a collaborator with the criminal organisation.
Forensic teams remain at the warehouse in the Axarquia to sweep for evidence and analyse the crime scene.
Inside the building, police discovered narcolanchas – the high-speed inflatable boats typically used to smuggle drugs – alongside fuel canisters used for petaqueo, the practice of refuelling boats out at sea.
They also found a van containing two massive petrol tanks capable of holding up to 5,000 litres of fuel.
A police spokesperson confirmed the investigation remains open and further arrests have not been ruled out.
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