Major Drug Trafficking Operation Uncovered in Tenerife
For ordinary citizens, it all began on the morning of 10 September, when residents of Santa Cruz were puzzled by a Civil Guard helicopter flying over the districts of the Tenerife capital in the early hours. It soon became clear that a large-scale operation against drug trafficking was underway, primarily based on the island of Tenerife, but with links extending to La Gomera, Morocco, and the United Kingdom. The extent of the operation unfolded gradually.
Initial Raids
On Valle Inclán Street, agents from the Central Operational Unit (UCO) conducted a raid that resulted in at least two arrests. The main suspect was a well-known night-time entertainment entrepreneur, as revealed by Atlántico Hoy, who owns the Riela club in Caletillas (formerly known as Tasiri). The other person detained that day was reported to be his mother, allegedly acting as a front for one of his companies. The man, aged 42, was at the centre of a complex network involved in smuggling cocaine from South America. His origins from La Gomera led to this extensive operation being named Operation Silbo. The number of detainees would soon rise to ten.
Police Involvement and Expanded Operations
The operation involved the Civil Guard and the Tax Agency, alongside EUROPOL, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Judicial Police of Cape Verde. Raids extended to other streets in Santa Cruz, including Calderón de la Barca, Avenida Buenos Aires, Los Gladiolos, Avenida de Anaga, a premises near Plaza de España, La Cuesta, and El Cardonal, also reaching La Gomera. Two days later, the number of arrests had increased to approximately thirty, who were made available to the judiciary, as stated by the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC).
Of the over twenty individuals who testified in the Court of First Instance number 3 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 18 remain in custody while seven have been released provisionally. Most of those who are still free are under precautionary measures, such as the withdrawal of passports or travel bans. The remaining detainees are awaiting their hearings, and at least one individual is still wanted in connection with the operation.
Drug Discoveries and Seizures
During the operation, multiple drug imports were documented, including one of 500 kilograms in January 2024 and another of 1,600 kilograms in November of the same year, both destined for Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Additionally, the sending of hashish from Morocco to the United Kingdom was detected. A cocaine processing and cutting laboratory was located in a property in El Escobonal (Tenerife), where highly toxic chemicals and equipment for adulterating the drug were stored.
The searches conducted in various locations across Spain resulted in the seizure of modified firearms, over €600,000 in cash, 16 vehicles, and five boats. Furthermore, movable and immovable assets valued at more than two million euros were blocked. According to the Civil Guard, plans were also underway for the purchase of illegal firearms on the mainland.
Money Laundering Investigation
Simultaneously, an investigation into a money laundering scheme was undertaken, involving real estate investments, catering businesses, and a car rental company used for both money laundering and drug distribution. Investigators noted that the network comprised extremely violent members, including individuals with military training, who engaged in kidnappings and coercive tactics to seize land in Tenerife.
Conclusion of the Operation
On 23 September, 13 days after the arrests began, law enforcement declared the criminal organisation fully dismantled. The operation concluded with 34 detentions and the seizure of over two tonnes of cocaine, alongside searches of homes and commercial premises, as well as the deployment of helicopters and trained dogs for property inspections. The operation is part of the GDIN project, led by the Civil Guard, in collaboration with EUROPOL and funded by the European Commission through the Anti-Drug Criminal Intelligence Centre.
