THE leader of a German narco empire accused of supplying huge quantities of drugs across Europe has been arrested in Marbella.
The unnamed man, described as a ‘high value target’ by Interpol, was detained on the Costa del Sol following a major joint operation involving Spain’s Policia Nacional and their contemporaries in Germany.
The gang he led allegedly used profits from selling cannabis to fund huge cocaine shipments from Bolivia into Europe, with investigators estimating the narcos made more than €11 million in the process.
The investigation began in April and culminated in 35 raids in June – 31 in Germany, one in Austria and three in Marbella.
Police seized more than four tonnes of cannabis, 27.5kg of cocaine, 1.5kg of crack cocaine, 800 litres of amphetamine oil – enough to produce around 3.2 tonnes of amphetamines – five firearms, eight vehicles, more than €126,000 in cash and a clandestine drugs laboratory.
Nine people were arrested, including the alleged leader in Marbella, who was linked to the seizure of more than 1.3 tonnes of cannabis in Germany which had originated in Spain.
The leader previously worked for a separate criminal organisation using a similar modus operandi, where police say he learned how to manage an international drug empire.
Investigators also found he frequently travelled to Brazil, where he is believed to have built contacts to facilitate maritime cocaine shipments from South America into Europe.
The gang is accused of laundering its substantial profits by investing in property – particularly commercial premises.
All nine arrested have been remanded in custody and face suspected charges of belonging to a criminal organisation, drug trafficking and money laundering.
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
