Swedish elderly man arrested in Madrid whilst carrying more than four kilos of cocaine
An 85-year-old Swedish citizen was detained at Madrid-Barajas airport whilst transporting 4.5 kilos of cocaine concealed in his luggage. Authorities believe he was acting as a courier for a drug trafficking network.
Swedish elderly man arrested in Madrid whilst carrying more than four kilos of cocaine
National Police officers detained an 85-year-old Swedish national at Madrid-Barajas airport terminal in early June. Hidden in his carry-on luggage were more than four and a half kilos of cocaine, according to information published by Spanish media Telecinco and reported by Expressen.
The septuagenarian had begun his journey in Costa Rica and was due to arrive in Brussels. On 5 June, whilst passing through the Spanish capital, a security inspection detected traces of illicit substances in his travel bag. The terminal's sniffer dogs or scanners alerted the uniformed officers, who proceeded to examine the contents more thoroughly.
Inside the suitcase they discovered nine cylindrical containers wrapped in paper containing the drug. The total weight exceeded four and a half kilos of pure cocaine.
The initial conclusions of the police investigation suggest that the detainee was recruited by a criminal organisation dedicated to drug smuggling to act as a courier. The records reviewed by investigators indicate that this would not have been his first trip in that capacity; there is evidence of previous journeys to various international cities with the same purpose.
Following his appearance before a judge, the judge ordered his remand in custody whilst investigations continue, as confirmed by Telecinco.
From Stockholm, Sweden's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that a national of that age was deprived of liberty in Spanish territory during June. In a statement sent by email to Expressen, a spokesperson indicated that the detainee is receiving consular support from the Swedish diplomatic representation in Madrid.
Sources: Expressen and Telecinco.
Source: Expressen