Spain (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Spain arrests 20 suspected operatives linked to Jalisco New Generation Cartel in a major crackdown involving U.S. DEA priority targets, Italian mafia suspects, and a seizure of 1.8 tons of cocaine and other contraband. Concurrently, Spain also arrested 14 individuals connected to the Mexican Sinaloa cartel, involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping, and murder.
Spain Arrests 20 Suspects Linked to Powerful Mexican Cartel Targeted by U.S.
In a significant operation, Spanish authorities have arrested 20 individuals tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful criminal organisations, according to several reports including English El País and Latin Times. The detainees include high-priority targets of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as well as alleged members of the Italian mafia, marking a cross-border law enforcement success.
Details of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel Operation
The arrests were part of an investigation that uncovered an extensive smuggling operation. Authorities revealed the cartel smuggled large shipments of cocaine and methamphetamine from South America into Spain concealed inside heavy machinery. This operation culminated in the seizure of approximately 1.8 tons of cocaine, cash, cryptocurrencies, weapons, and vehicles used for illicit activities, as reported by Latin Times and CBS News.
The detained group is accused of distributing drugs not only within Spain but across Europe, indicating the cartel’s reach beyond Latin America. The swift crackdown and deployment of cross-agency efforts, including collaboration with U.S. law enforcement, highlight the growing international focus on dismantling sophisticated drug trafficking networks.
Arrests Connected to Sinaloa Cartel in Catalonia
Parallel to the CJNG arrests, Spanish police apprehended 14 suspects predominantly Mexican nationals linked to the Sinaloa cartel in Catalonia. This criminal network was implicated in serious violent crimes including kidnapping and murder. CBS News and Macau Business reported that the arrests followed the investigation of a murder case where a victim’s body was found in a wooded area in northeastern Spain in August.
The victim, whose nationality remains undisclosed, had allegedly come from Italy to meet several cartel leaders. His family from Kosovo reported his disappearance between May and June, later receiving a ransom demand of €240,000. Part of the ransom, totaling $32,000, was paid in cryptocurrency to the kidnappers. Authorities believe the cartel operated a lab in Spain extracting methamphetamine from shipments sent from Mexico concealed in clothing items.
The Sinaloa cartel is notable for its founders Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, both imprisoned in the United States. Despite internal violence and leadership struggles within the cartel, it remains one of the largest global criminal organisations.
Capture of Ecuador Drug Gang Leader on Spain’s Costa del Sol
In a related but separate operation, Spain also arrested Wilmer Geovanny Chavarria Barre, known as “Pipo,” the leader of Los Lobos, Ecuador’s most notorious drug trafficking organisation. As reported by The Olive Press and the BBC, Spanish National Police collaborated with Ecuadorian authorities to detain Chavarria in Malaga.
Ecuador’s president Daniel Noboa expressed gratitude for the joint effort, calling the arrest a crucial blow against transnational crime. Chavarria allegedly oversaw over 400 murders and coordinated illegal mining and drug trafficking routes in partnership with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. United States authorities designated Los Lobos as a foreign terrorist organisation due to their violence and destabilising activities in Ecuador.
Context and Wider Impact
These arrests come amidst heightened enforcement against Latin American drug cartels operating in Europe, highlighting Spain’s strategic role as a transit and distribution hub for narcotics. The operations reflect a coordinated international law enforcement response, involving data sharing and joint investigations with U.S. agencies such as the DEA.
Additionally, the arrests of cartel members linked to the mafia underscore the complexity and interconnectivity of organised crime networks spanning continents. These developments underscore ongoing challenges faced by European authorities combating drug trafficking, violent crime, and money laundering linked to Latin American crime syndicates.