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Spanish drug smugglers who used drones to spy on police are arrested Spanish police say drugs gang used drones to spy on officers
(35 minutes later)
Police in Spain have said they have smashed a drug-smuggling ring that used drones to keep an eye on officers to try to ensure it was safe to unload shipments of hashish on the country’s southern coast. Police in Spain say they have smashed a drug smuggling ring that used drones to monitor law enforcement and try to ensure the coast was clear to unload shipments of hashish.
Officers arrested 12 suspected members of the gang in the southern town of La Linea de la Concepcion, which lies on the border with Gibraltar and has become a hub for drug smuggling in recent years, as part of the operation, police said in a statement. Officers arrested 12 suspected members of the gang in the southern town of La Linea de la Concepcion, which lies on the border with Gibraltar and has become a hub for drug smuggling in recent years.
Inside La Línea, the Spanish town in the frontline against drug traffickingInside La Línea, the Spanish town in the frontline against drug trafficking
“Some of those who were arrested were highly trained in the use of unmanned drones, which were used when a boat full of hashish neared the coast to land, in order to monitor a possible police presence,” it added. “Some of those who were arrested were highly trained in the use of unmanned drones, which were used when a boat full of hashish neared the coast to land, in order to monitor a possible police presence,” police said.
Police suspect the ring smuggled more than six tonnes of hashish into Spain from Morocco in recent months, earning about €5m (£4.35m). They suspect the ring smuggled more than six tonnes of hashish into Spain from Morocco in recent months, earning about €5m (£4.35m).
Officers seized a drone along with a radio frequency inhibitor as well as several high-end smartphones as part of the operation. Officers seized a drone along with a radio frequency inhibitor and several high-end smartphones as part of the operation.
The 10 men and two women who were arrested face charges of drug trafficking and membership of an organised crime group. All 12 were Spanish nationals.The 10 men and two women who were arrested face charges of drug trafficking and membership of an organised crime group. All 12 were Spanish nationals.
Spain’s proximity to Morocco, a key source of cannabis, and its close ties with former colonies in Latin America, a major cocaine-producing region, have made it an important gateway for international drug dealers.Spain’s proximity to Morocco, a key source of cannabis, and its close ties with former colonies in Latin America, a major cocaine-producing region, have made it an important gateway for international drug dealers.
Drugs tradeDrugs trade
SpainSpain
GibraltarGibraltar
EuropeEurope
Drugs
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