French security forces have intercepted in the Cerdanya area 1.5 tons of cannabis resin from Spain, which, on the black market, would have reached a value of 9.7 million euros, according to the French customs service. The drugs were found on 3 November inside a truck whose drivers claimed to be travelling empty to Paris. Inside the trailer, however, the agents found about 40 bales of resin. The two drivers, whose identity and nationality have not been disclosed, were handed over to the Judicial Police. The Marseilles Public Prosecutor’s Office has taken charge of the investigations, according to the official … Continue reading France intercepts 1.5 tons of cannabis resin from Spain

The largest haul of cannabis ever seized by Spanish police was discovered in a series of raids across the country, officers said. Around 32 tonnes of the crop were found, adding up to a street value of $60m, a spokesperson for Guardia Civil, Spain’s national police force, said. Police said they arrested nine men and 11 women, aged between 20 and 59, in busts on a network of offices in Toledo, Ciudad Real, Valencia and Asturias, which span the country from north to south. The Guardia Civil said the “complex business network” was supplying the domestic drug market and sending shipments to Switzerland, … Continue reading Spain makes largest ever cannabis seizure worth $60m in raid

A former heavyweight boxer has been charged in the US with trafficking 22 tonnes of cocaine, worth more than $1bn into Europe. Goran Gogic, 43, from Montenegro, was arrested on Sunday in Miami after being indicted by a New York grand jury. The charges come from three seizures, including one of the largest in the US. Prosecutors say the traffickers sent the drugs from Colombia via US ports, using cranes and nets at night to hoist them onto cargo ships from speedboats. Court documents say Gogic was in charge of the logistics, coordinating with Colombian traffickers, crew members and dock … Continue reading Ex-heavyweight boxer Goran Gogic charged with cocaine trafficking

A 1.8 tonne haul of liquid methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $1bn has been seized by Australian police in Hong Kong. The class A drug, which was bound for Australia, had been found hidden in cartons of coconut water. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) in Hong Kong worked with Hong Kong Customs and Excise (HKCE) to intercept what they said was a “record-breaking” stash. The AFP said the illicit consignment was identified using intelligence developed by AFP officers in Mexico and the Australian Department of Home Affairs. They said “international cooperation” then led … Continue reading Record $1bn of liquid meth found hidden inside coconut water cartons

The Santa Rosa de Lima cartel has allegedly claimed responsibility for the violent scene at the bar in the Tarimoro municipality, in the state of Guanajuato, Infobae reported. The assailants ambushed El Jarras pool hall, an establishment in the area downtown, where local festivities were taking place. Nine people died on the scene and one victim succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a hospital. Gruesome images of the attack on Wednesday night began circulating online shortly after. In a harrowing video reportedly recorded by the attackers, shots can be heard as an injured man is shown lying on the … Continue reading Ten people killed in cartel shooting at Mexico pool hall

Authorities in Saudi Arabia say they have seized 46 million amphetamine pills that were smuggled in a shipment of flour – a record for the kingdom. Security forces tracked the shipment as it arrived at the Riyadh Dry Port and was taken to a warehouse, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control said. Six Syrians and two Pakistanis were arrested in a raid on the warehouse. The GDNC did not name the amphetamine, but Saudi Arabia is the largest market for tablets bearing the captagon logo. Captagon, typically a mix of amphetamine, caffeine and various fillers, is reportedly one of the … Continue reading Saudi Arabia seizes record 46 million amphetamine pills hidden in flour

Almost two tonnes of methamphetamine has been seized by Australian police – the biggest bust of the drug in the country’s history. Police found 1,800kg of what is known locally as ice inside shipping containers at a Sydney port. The record haul was concealed in marble and has a street value of more than A$1.6bn ($1.1bn; £942m). Three men have been charged over their alleged roles in importing the drugs from the Middle East. Authorities say the men are part of a broader syndicate with international links. New South Wales Police said the group was “sophisticated” but officers could not … Continue reading Australia makes largest-ever drug bust found in marble

Mexican drugs lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who is on the US most wanted list, has been arrested in the western Sinaloa state, the Mexican Navy says. Mr Caro Quintero, who is accused of kidnapping, torturing and murdering a US drug enforcement agent in 1985, was held in the town of Choix. The Navy said Mr Caro Quintero, believed to be 69, was found in bushes by a specially-trained dog called Max. The US said it would seek Mr Caro Quintero’s immediate extradition. “There is no hiding place for anyone who kidnaps, tortures, and murders American law enforcement. We are deeply … Continue reading Mexican drugs lord Rafael Caro Quintero arrested

Spanish police have seized three underwater drones built to smuggle drugs across the sea from Morocco. The unmanned submersibles are apparently capable of carrying up to 200kg (441lbs) of cargo. As part of the 14-month investigation, eight people have been arrested in Cadiz, Malaga, and Barcelona. Police say it means they have broken up a gang suspected of building the vehicles and supplying them to drug smugglers across Europe. Spanish police say it is the first time they have discovered an underwater vehicle capable of being operated unmanned. “These devices could allow drug traffickers to transport large quantities of narcotics … Continue reading Underwater drones seized by Spanish police

US Customs authorities in California have seized methamphetamines worth $60,000 (£49,000) hidden in child booster seats at a checkpoint. Earlier this week, officers at the Newton Azrak Border Patrol Station in Murrieta stopped a vehicle on an interstate near the checkpoint. There were two adults and four children inside the vehicle. Upon dispatch of a K-9 team, narcotics were detected inside the children’s three booster seats. “In those booster seats, several packages were found containing a white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine,” US Customs and Border Protection officers said in a statement. The inspection revealed that the driver, who is … Continue reading US Customs finds methamphetamines worth $60,000

Police in Colombia said they discovered approximately 1,300kg of cocaine in an unlikely hiding place – potatoes. This video shows officers removing drugs from the food. Destined for Spain, the shipment raised suspicions with the Ministry of National Defense of Colombia when they saw the ‘food’ had no expiration dates. The drugs, which authorities said had been shaped using a hydraulic press, were seized from a shipment in Cartagena, a port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Continue reading Colombian police find 1,300kg of cocaine hidden in potatoes

Four British men have appeared in court in Greece charged with smuggling almost 300kg of Colombian cocaine, concealed in a shipment of bananas. The four suspects, from London and Liverpool and aged 38, 45, 48 and 52, were arrested last week at a luxury villa in northern Greece. A fifth man is also wanted by the police. Greek police allege two of the men are “leaders of an international drug-trafficking ring”. The men made no comments in court, citing their right to remain silent. According to police, the drugs were transported first to the southern Italian region of Calabria, before … Continue reading British men charged in Greek court over cocaine smuggling