Thirteen alleged members of Tren de Aragua arrested in Spanish territory
Spanish forces captured a dozen individuals linked to Venezuela's most powerful drug trafficking gang in an operation that dismantled synthetic drug laboratories and received international support.
Thirteen alleged members of Tren de Aragua arrested in Spanish territory
A police operation conducted in Spanish territory resulted in the capture of thirteen people identified as part of the first cell of Tren de Aragua established in the European country. This criminal group, which originated in Venezuela, is classified as the most influential narco structure in that South American nation and has extended its reach to several states.
The operation, named Interciti, had an initial phase in March 2024. The investigation began when uniformed officers in Barcelona arrested a relative of the organisation's global leader, an individual who was later repatriated to Venezuela. That initial detention revealed the gang's plans to strengthen its activities in the Iberian peninsula, according to reporting by DW.
In this recent phase, the arrests were carried out in multiple cities: the majority in Barcelona, along with detainees in Madrid, Girona, La Coruña and Valencia. The coordinated action received support from Colombian forces and the Ameripol-EL PAcCTO 2.0 programme, an initiative financed by the European Union.
The home searches resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of drugs, mobile phones, various documents and an illegal firearm. In parallel, the authorities dismantled two sites dedicated to manufacturing pink cocaine or 'tusi', a product typical of this criminal network. They also seized synthetic drugs, traditional cocaine and dismantled an illegal cannabis greenhouse.
Tren de Aragua maintains its status as the dominant cartel in Venezuela, with confirmed presence in numerous nations across both the Americas and Europe.
Source: DW
Source: Google News VE — Crime