Vilanova de Arousa, Spain - January 15, 2025 [Note: partially no sound] On January 15, 2025, a major law enforcement operation successfully dismantled an Albanian drug trafficking ring while they were unloading 1,100 kilograms of cocaine. The coordinated effort, spanning several months, led to the arrest of eight individuals, including seven Albanians and a local Galician accomplice. The operation was initiated after security forces began monitoring the suspected illicit activities of the criminal group in November 2024. The investigation revealed that the organization was planning to smuggle a significant cocaine shipment into Spain using a high-powered 12-meter boat equipped with three 450-horsepower engines. During the raid, authorities seized the boat, a 9mm pistol, two vehicles, and communications equipment. The operation was carried out by the National Police's GEO unit, who intercepted the boat at Rego do Alcalde while it was unloading the drugs. Simultaneously, ground units secured the area and arrested those involved in transporting the narcotics. The investigation, led by the Court of Instruction Three of Vilagarcía de Arousa and the Special Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office of Pontevedra, continues as authorities investigate higher-ranking members of the network. The operation also received support from the DEA, Portuguese Judicial Police, and French Customs. As of now, eight people have been arrested, and authorities are not ruling out further arrests in connection with this major drug trafficking ring.