A joint operation between law enforcement from Spain and Colombia has dismantled what investigators describe as the largest drug distribution network in Madrid, authorities said Sunday.
Authorities conducted raids in the Spanish provinces of Badajoz, Guadalajara, Madrid, Málaga and Valencia, where they arrested at least 12 members of the gang.
The drug trafficking gang largely based its operations out of Madrid and the Málaga resort town of Marbella and was led by a Moroccan man identified as Said Al Moui and his two siblings, Mohamed Al Moui and Moustafa Al Moui.
The network had been under surveillance since 2020 as part of operation Toga, according to Spain’s National Police.
Authorities seized nearly 600 kilos of cocaine, 20 luxury vehicles, weapons and nearly $1million in cash in the raids.
Cops in Spain raided an apartment in Madrid and arrested one of the members of the city’s most powerful drug distribution gang that was allegedly led by three Moroccan brothers. Operation Toga netted a total of 12 arrests, including the Moroccan siblings identified as Said Al Moui and Mohamed Al Moui and Moustafa Al Moui. Authorities confiscated at least 600 kilos of cocaine
A Ferrari (right) valued at $298,000 was among 20 vehicles that were impounded during an operation by Spanish and Colombian authorities
The Spanish National Police announced Sunday that a joint operation between law enforcement from Spain and Colombia helped dismantle Madrid’s largest drug distribution gang. Authorities seized at least 600 kilos of cocaine
They reportedly purchased large crops of marijuana from growers across all of Spain and used the proceeds to expand its business by purchasing cocaine that was smuggled from Colombia and hashish that was illegally ferried over from Morocco.
The marijuana that was processed from the plantations was then stored away and later shipped in packages that weighed at least 20 kilos to the Netherlands and central Europe.
The Spanish National Police learned that Moustafa Al Moui allegedly supervised the logistics of the smuggling and Mohamed Al Moui the distribution of drugs while Said acted as a frontman.
Spain’s National Police seized guns and a communication system used by members of a drug trafficking gang that was led by three Moroccan brothers. The network sold drugs in the Netherlands and central Europe
A police agent removes a section of an apartment floor where the alleged drug traffickers hid 150 kilos of cocaine
A Mercedes GL V8 (right) valued at $180,000 was among the 20 vehicles confiscated by the cops as part of a series of raids in Spain that dismantled the largest drug distribution gang in Madrid, the Spanish police announced Sunday
The trio were aided by other relatives and associates, including a lawyer, identified as Alvaro S., who police said laundered the group’s earnings and took part in some drug sales.
Spanish newspaper ABC reported that Alvaro was released after posting $59,500 bail. Mohamed Al Moui and a woman identified as the wife of one of the three Moroccan men were freed after posting a bail bond between $5,900 to $9,500.
Said Al Moui reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
Police investigators described the gang as ‘sophisticated,’ having a setup that allowed them to dispatch ‘huge drug quantities’ of drugs under ‘dexterous security’ conditions, including drivers transporting the drugs who wore suits to pretend they were businesspeople.
Cops made a seizure of around $835,000 in cash following a series of raids in the Spain provinces of Badajoz, Guadalajara, Madrid, Málaga and Valencia
A police officer removes a bag containing money that was hidden on top of the bathroom’s ceiling panel inside an apartment in Madrid
Source close to the investigation told ABC that the Moui brothers partnered with a Bulgarian criminal organization that was in charge of shipping the drugs to central Europe.
Instead of the usual way of selling the cocaine by the kilogram, police said that the gang found an easier way of distribution by dividing it into packages of 370 to 390 grams, which were sold for around $11,950 each.
Authorities impounded 16 apartments and around $835,000 in cash.
While raiding a home in Madrid, the cops discovered almost $273,900 hidden over the ceiling panel of a bathroom.
An inspection of a second home in the Spanish capital led authorities to 150 kilos of cocaine which was concealed inside a section of the apartment’s floor.
The police also confiscated an additional 200 kilos from a third dwelling.
Authorities show the results of the raids that netted drugs, money, weapons and vehicles
Authorities seized several firearms and sharp weapons, including three Japanese swords, that belonged to the alleged drug traffickers.
Law enforcement agents also seized 20 vehicles, including six that featured secret compartments. Authorities also impounded a Ferrari worth $298,000, a Mercedes C63 priced at $297,600 and a Mercedes GL V8 valued at $180,000.
As part of the same operation, the Spanish National Police’s Special Operations Group shut down the attempt of two members of the drug trafficking organization who sought to recover a container with cocaine delivered from Colombia.
The agents discovered 208 packages of cocaine totaling 230 kilos.