The Civil Guard, within the framework of operation ‘Lamak’, has dismantled a criminal network dedicated to introducing large amounts of hashish on the island of Tenerife from Africa.
Thus, the criminal organization has been completely dismantled, with the arrest of 27 people of Spanish and Moroccan nationality, and more than 9 tons of hashish and two inflatable boats have been seized.
The investigation began at mid 2020 when the first information was obtained about the presence of a criminal organization based in Tenerife with sufficient capacity to introduce large amounts of hashish.
With the progress of the investigations, it became known that the criminal network, made up of citizens of Moroccan and Spanish origin, had formed a strong structure to carry out these activities, having a high logistical capacity that allowed it to carry out landings of more than 1,000 kilos of hashish monthly at any point on the coast of Tenerife.
Taken stash
For this reason, in March 2021 the ‘Lamak’ operation began with the first apprehension of two vans that were transporting 3,500 kilos of hashish that had just been unloaded on a beach in the municipality of San Miguel de Abona.
At the end of May, with the progress of the investigation, the agents detected how the group would be making preparations for the imminent arrival on the coast of Tenerife of a new consignment of narcotic substances, for which the appropriate services were established that made it possible to detect the arrival at a beach in the municipality of Arico of a boat carrying 1,800 kilos of hashish.
Despite this, the members of the network continued their illicit activity with a new attempt in August to introduce more than 2,000 kilos of hashish on the island, using a beach on the north coast of Tenerife, but this attempt was again frustrated by the agents.
On this occasion, two firearms were intervened with their corresponding ammunition that the organization intended to send to Morocco.
The next day and as a result of observation and surveillance by the investigators, it was possible to intercept a van-type vehicle driven by the organization’s leader himself, which was preparing to start the transport of the substances, specifically 1,800 kilos of hashish, which were apprehended by the Civil Guard.
24,000 euros in cash
In the course of the operation, more than 9 tons of hashish and 1.3 kilos of cocaine have been seized, as well as two inflatable boats, four outboard motors, three vehicles, thirteen firearms, seven short weapons, have been intervened. five long rifle-type weapons and a single-shot artisanal firearm, as well as fundamental pieces of different types of weapons, four encrypted telephones, approximately 24,000 euros in cash, six GPS for navigation, and documentation related to the activity.
Likewise, the 27 members of the gang have been arrested, among whom is the leader of the organization, a Spanish citizen for whom there were up to five judicial requisitions for his search and entry into prison, as well as two citizens of Moroccan origin experts in maritime navigation.
The investigation has been carried out by agents of the Territorial Team of the Judicial Police of Beach of the Americas and the Organized Crime and Anti-Drug Team (EDOA), belonging to the Organic Unit of Judicial Police of the Command of the Civil Guard of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which have had the support of Citizen Security units and other units of the Civil Guard .
