Ten British nationals have been arrested in connection with a sprawling international drug trafficking cartel that transported cocaine from South America to Europe. The investigation, spanning three years, has uncovered a sophisticated network involving expats and businesswomen in a money laundering operation.
Arrests and Operations
The majority of those arrested, seven individuals, were living in Malaga, Spain, while another was residing in Portugal. Half of the Britons detained are women, who law enforcement agencies believe were instrumental in a money laundering scheme designed to clean drug money.
The extensive operation began in 2020 and reached a significant milestone on December 18, 2023, when a Spanish-registered yacht was intercepted 1,200 miles east of Martinique in the Caribbean by a French navy frigate. Onboard, officials found 1.2 tonnes of cocaine. The skipper, a 30-year-old man from Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, was arrested alongside two other British nationals.
At the time, the National Crime Agency (NCA) estimated the street value of the seized drugs in the UK to be around £96 million.
Additional Seizures and Arrests
Further collaborative efforts by Spanish Policía Nacional, Norway’s National Criminal Investigation Service, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the European Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, with support from Europol, led to the seizure of an additional 0.3 tonnes of cocaine.
In total, 52 individuals have been arrested, and authorities have confiscated eight boats, 36 vehicles, firearms, and ammunition.
Cartel Leadership and Operations
The NCA identified the cartel leader as a Norwegian national who has reportedly been involved in drug trafficking for over two decades. In 2020, intelligence revealed a British crime group based in Spain responsible for transporting cocaine across the Atlantic. This group owned a fleet of vessels that facilitated the transport of drugs from South America to Europe via Spain.
Detailed Routes and Logistics
The investigation highlighted the various routes used to bring drugs to Spain, including coastal cities such as Valencia, Alicante, and Malaga, extending to Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Barbados, and Panama. The cartel leader maintained strong relationships with Colombian and Mexican drug cartels, coordinating drug production and transportation until shipment to Spain.
Money Laundering Operations
The investigation also uncovered that drug money was reinvested into new operations and laundered through a global network of businesswomen. Three women from Boston, Lincolnshire, aged 19, 28, and 38, who were living in Malaga, were arrested. Additionally, a 54-year-old woman from Chelmsford, Essex, a 49-year-old woman from Nottingham, a 63-year-old man from Withernsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, and a 24-year-old British man were also detained. They were all residing in Malaga.
Further Arrests
A 37-year-old man from Bracknell, Berkshire, living in Portugal, along with the 30-year-old yacht skipper from Lewis and another 34-year-old Scottish man, were also apprehended.
Official Statements
Neil Keeping, NCA regional manager in Spain, commented on the successful operation: “This Spanish-led international operation has dismantled a major drug trafficking crime group and resulted in the arrests of 10 British nationals – eight from England and two from Scotland.
“The NCA’s international network has played a leading role in sharing intelligence with overseas partners to intercept huge shipments of drugs and trace key members of the criminal enterprise. A portion of the Class A drugs seized would have undoubtedly been destined for the UK, where its supply at street level fuels violence and exploitation, and brings misery to our communities.
“Tackling global crime groups such as this one requires strong collaboration with international partners, and our efforts alongside them continue to ensure these networks are demolished.”
Impact and Future Actions
The operation’s success highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating drug trafficking and the ongoing commitment to disrupting organized crime. The investigation continues as authorities work to trace and dismantle the remaining elements of the cartel.
