Drug gang in Narón dismantled after conning other traffickers with cement
The Guardia Civil, National Police and Tax Agency dismantle a criminal group specialised in violent "hijackings". They sold 29 kilograms of cement for cocaine at 255,000 euros; eight of the twelve arrested remain in prison.
Joint operation against drug gang in Narón
According to El Confidencial, the Guardia Civil, National Police and Tax Agency have dismantled a criminal organisation led by three brothers in Narón (A Coruña). The group, integrated into the historic Los Chaquetas clan, specialised in "vuelcos"—violent robberies from other drug traffickers—and carried out sophisticated scams in the black market.
The most flagrant case of fraud occurred when the criminals deceived another local trafficker: they sold him 29 kilograms of powdered cement for 255,000 euros, making him believe it was cocaine. The construction material imitated the colour, texture and weight of cocaine powder, but could have caused serious harm if consumed.
Two operational phases and twelve arrests
The operation, named "Petronium-Heracles", was executed in two phases in late October. In the first phase, three people were arrested; on 28 October, another five appeared before judicial authorities. Twelve people were arrested in total, eight of them ordered to prison by instruction court number three in Betanzos.
Among those arrested was a member of the security forces integrated into the network, which led to the National Police's Internal Affairs to join the operation. The detainees face charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, unlawful possession of weapons, receiving stolen goods and membership of a criminal organisation. The officer also faces charges of disclosure of secrets and unlawful access to classified information.
Armed arsenal and planned violence
The initial investigation focused on a young man from Vilagarcía de Arousa (Pontevedra) who allegedly managed several marijuana plantations alongside third parties. His relationship with the Ferrol-based Los Chaquetas clan led to expanded surveillance of 14 people.
"The organisation also planned violent actions against other criminal groups to take drugs or money from them using their arsenal of firearms," said Lola Amado, spokesperson for the Guardia Civil in A Coruña. In seventeen search and seizure operations, six firearms were seized (including a semi-automatic pistol and a submachine gun chassis), ammunition in quantity, 138,000 euros in cash and various drugs: cocaine, heroin, MDMA and hashish.
Luxury vehicles and criminal sophistication
Officers confiscated twelve vehicles, including a Ferrari 488 GTB valued at around 300,000 euros, a Porsche Cayenne Coupé and several high-end Audis and Volkswagens. The relocation of residence from the shantytown of Leixa to the villa area, together with the circulation of high-end cars in a small city, was indicative of the sophisticated money laundering that the brothers carried out in alliance with local businessmen.
Regional distribution network
Drugs were collected in the Ferrol district and distributed mainly in O Salnés (Pontevedra), as well as the Betanzos and A Coruña area—from a fourth-floor flat reported by neighbours for nuisance. They also documented several transports to Zamora to move the merchandise through the central plateau.
Los Chaquetas has its historic base in Leixa, an industrial area bordering Ferrol and Narón. The settlement was transformed into a fortress with measures to prevent seizures: a permanent bonfire to burn drugs in case of a raid and an obligation to consume indoors. In 2013, six long guns were already confiscated and another four in a previous operation, evidencing the historic conflict in the enclave. Previous police operations in 2008, 2010 and 2011 demonstrated criminal recidivism in the area.
Source: El Confidencial