Spanish police bust drug cartel based in illegal casinos
During an operation on December 12, the Civil Guard discovered a "secret casino" in Granada where the leader of an armed gang was reportedly conducting transactions while playing high-stakes poker games. Nearly 20 people were arrested during the operation, seven of whom remain in custody pending further investigations.
A few weeks ago, the National Guard carried out a series of operations to dismantle cannabis production centers in the province of Granada. The centers were found to be linked to a criminal group based in Granada, also known as Granada, sparking a wider investigation that led to the recent casino raids.
According to a statement from the Spanish Interior Ministry, the criminal organization is mainly composed of a family from Granada. Investigators also believe the group has links to drug traffickers from Romania, Albania and Italy.
Counter-terrorism police take responsibility
The operation involved the National Guard's Rapid Action Group, an elite force whose history is rooted in counterterrorism operations against Spanish separatist group ETA. The extensive search involved more than 250 officers from various law enforcement agencies and covered multiple locations, including Granada and surrounding communities.
During the raid, police found an array of weapons, including a Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle, a 9mm pistol, a Taser and more. They also seized luxury cars and other vehicles believed to be used as currency for drug dealing.
In addition, authorities seized 12,000 cannabis plants, cash worth €130,000 ($142,000) and jewelry worth €150,000 ($163,950).
The group allegedly used its international connections to facilitate the shipment of illegal drugs to these and other countries. The investigation is ongoing, according to authorities, suggesting more arrests may be coming.
The detainees currently face a range of charges, including drug cultivation, production and trafficking, illegal possession of weapons, money laundering and online banking fraud. Authorities appear to be allowing illegal gambling fees to fall.
Granada becomes crime hotspot
This is not the first time police have busted an international organized crime gang operating in Granada. Albanian citizens have also taken part in previous attacks, but they are not the only ones.
Seven years ago, Israel arrested four Spaniards and a Romanian, all residents of Granada, on drug trafficking charges. This sparked an investigation in Granada that led to the arrest of a known drug dealer known only as "Sammy". With the help of his parents, he ran an international drug trafficking network that also had a penchant for AK-47s.
In December, national police arrested six people - five Kosovo Albanians and one Spaniard - during an operation targeting an alleged drug gang in the province. During the raid, authorities seized 160 kilograms of hashish and hashish and 11,000 euros ($12,023) in cash. As in the latest case, they also seized a Russian-made AK-47 and various other weapons.
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Source: www.casino.org
