Spain - August 21, 2024

In a significant blow to international drug trafficking, Spanish authorities, in collaboration with Portuguese police, have dismantled a criminal organization responsible for smuggling cocaine into Spain hidden within pineapple crates. This operation, which unfolded across borders, resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of 211 kilograms of cocaine, according to reports circulating on social media and official statements.

The cocaine was ingeniously concealed within commercial containers of pineapples, arriving from South America to the port of Setubal in Portugal. From there, the drugs were intended to be distributed across Spain via road transport. The operation began when authorities detected suspicious activities around a container at Setubal, leading to a coordinated effort between Spanish and Portuguese law enforcement.

Upon the container's arrival in Spain, law enforcement observed two individuals engaging in counter-surveillance, closely monitoring the unloading of the legal merchandise. This surveillance led to the discovery of the hidden cocaine, packed in rectangular packages within a false bottom of the pineapple boxes, spread across several pallets. The meticulous planning behind this operation underscores the sophistication of the criminal network involved.

The arrests included not only those involved in the physical transport but also the presumed final recipient of the drugs, indicating a broad sweep aimed at disrupting the entire supply chain. The operation highlights the creative and often audacious methods drug cartels employ to bypass international customs and security checks.