1,410 kilos of cocaine seized at nursery linked to 'Fanchos' clan in A Coruña
National Police arrested three men, including the alleged leader of the 'Fanchos' clan, after discovering 1,410 kg of cocaine in A Pobra do Caramiñal.
Three arrested in A Pobra do Caramiñal after seizing 1,410 kilos of cocaine linked to the 'Fanchos' clan
The National Police seized 1,410 kilos of cocaine hidden in several properties in A Pobra do Caramiñal during the early morning of 22 August, according to estrelladigital.es. The operation resulted in three men being arrested, including the man considered by investigators to be the leader of the historic 'Fanchos' clan, an organisation linked by police to drug trafficking in the Galician Barbanza region.
The investigation began on 20 August, after officers received information about the possible arrival of a significant cocaine shipment via a beach in A Pobra do Caramiñal. Police hypothesis points to two vessels having participated in the introduction of the cargo. Initial inquiries identified individuals linked to the 'Fanchos' clan as possible recipients of the drugs once unloaded.
The United States DEA collaborated in the development of the investigation.
Surveillance and monitoring prior to intervention
During the morning of 21 August, officers detected the first movements they considered relevant. At around 06:55, a vehicle arrived at the main suspect's home. Shortly afterwards, a person left the property carrying a rucksack and got into the vehicle. According to police, those in the vehicle adopted various security measures to avoid being followed or detected during their movements.
Surveillance continued over the following hours. In the early morning of 22 August, investigators observed the main suspect alongside two other men making several trips between his home and a shed located opposite the property, very close to O Conchido beach. At a certain point, the three began moving heavy packages from that location to another property in the same municipality. Based on the characteristics of the packages and the manner in which they were being transported, officers suspected they could contain cocaine.
Searches and final results of the operation
The three men were arrested and officers secured the merchandise before proceeding with searches. Three property searches were carried out: the main suspect's home, the shed near O Conchido, and the property to which the packages had been moved.
The final balance reported by the National Police amounts to 1,410 kilos of cocaine. The majority of the cargo was distributed between the property and the shed near the beach. During the searches, 100 grammes of heroin, cash and other items of interest to the investigation were also seized. The exact amount of money found has not been made public.
Over the weekend, provisional figures circulated placing the haul at around 1,500 kilos and increasing the initial number of arrests. The National Police subsequently clarified that the final figures are three arrested and 1,410 kilos of cocaine, in addition to the 100 grammes of heroin and the other items seized.
Charges and continuation of the investigation
The man considered to be the leader of the 'Fanchos' clan is believed to have, according to police, played a significant role in receiving and holding the cargo once the drugs reached land. The three arrested men are attributed with alleged offences of belonging to a criminal organisation and drug trafficking. It will be for the judicial procedure to determine the specific responsibility of each of them.
The investigation remains open with the aim of determining the scope of the organisation and reconstructing the origin and intended destination of the cargo.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)