A criminal organisation dedicated to the trafficking of hashish by sea in Huelva broken up

Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the Civil Guard

• During the operation, 7,200 kilos of hashish were seized, as well as 15 boats, 14 vehicles and other objects used in the criminal activity.

• The modus operandi consisted of transporting the bundles of hashish in patera-type boats hidden in a double bottom.

• The actions are the result of coordinated surveillance by the two forces in the framework of the intensification of the fight against drug trafficking on the Huelva coast.

10 July 2023.- Vigilancia Aduanera de la Agencia Tributaria and the Guardia Civil have carried out an operation against drug trafficking, dismantling a criminal organisation in an operation that began at the end of 2022.

The actions carried out are the result of coordinated surveillance by the two forces deployed as part of the intensification of the fight against drug trafficking on the Huelva coast.

Operation 'Kronos II' began last November, when, following investigations, it became known that numerous drug shipments were being smuggled along the coast of Huelva, especially through the towns of Ayamonte and Isla Cristina.

The 'modus operandi' consisted of introducing bales of hashish through recreational boats, concealing it in a double bottom.Once on land, the drugs were transported in off-road vehicles to the place where they were stored until distribution, usually in underground dumps or in houses close to the coast.

The agents set up coordinated operations in the area and managed to foil up to five caches, intercepting a total of 7,200 kilos of hashish.These include two operations in April and May, where a total of 2,600 kilos of hashish were seized.

This led investigators to locate those responsible for the activity, allegedly members of a well-known family clan in the town of Ayamonte.

After several months of investigation and analysis of information, and once the alleged authorship of the members of the organisation had been established, the exploitation phase began.In the early hours of 27 June, after the corresponding authorisation from the Juzgado de Instrucción no. 5 in Ayamonte, a total of 14 searches were carried out in homes and warehouses (seven in Ayamonte, five in Isla Cristina and two in Villablanca), leading to a total of eight arrests for the alleged offences of belonging to a criminal organisation and drug trafficking.

Among the objects seized were two carbines and an air pistol, a taser, ten luxury watches, night vision devices, video surveillance systems, frequency detectors, tracking beacons and 17,075 euros in banknotes of varying value.

In addition, a total of 15 recreational boats and 14 vehicles were seized, of which three were stolen and returned to their legitimate owners.

Both investigations continue to be carried out by the Customs Surveillance and Guardia Civil, and future arrests are not ruled out.

The proceedings, together with the seized objects, were handed over to the competent judicial authorities.As for the eight detainees, three were sent to permanent prison and five were released on bail, with the knowledge of the Special Anti-Drugs Prosecutor's Office in Huelva.