Spanish authorities dismantle gang using Ukrainian drones for drug smuggling
According to the National Police in Madrid, Ukrainian-made drones were utilized for drug smuggling from Morocco into Spain. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Two “narcodrones” have reportedly been employed in a scheme to smuggle hashish from Morocco, as announced by Spanish police in Madrid.
The Straits of Gibraltar, at their narrowest point, measure less than 15km, and authorities in Spain have faced ongoing challenges in addressing smuggling from North Africa. While boats have the capacity to transport larger quantities, they are also more susceptible to interception—unlike drones.
“The ‘narcodrones’ were manufactured in Ukraine and then transported by road to the south of our country,” stated the Policia Nacional in a recent announcement.
Criminal organizations operating in Campo de Gibraltar and Costa del Sol utilized the drones. A total of six raids were conducted in Algeciras and Marbella, leading to the detention of ten individuals, with seven already incarcerated, according to police sources.
The investigation, called “Operation Cyclone,” received support from Europol and the police forces of Ukraine and Poland, as reported by Madrid.
Police confiscated three drones in total, with two being operational and one still under construction. These Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have the capacity to transport up to 10kg of hashish per flight and cover a range of around 50km, enabling them to deliver their cargo in southern Spain from Morocco without landing, according to police reports.
The identities of the detainees have not been disclosed; however, police noted that the drones were operated by “individuals from Eastern European countries” working on behalf of local criminal enterprises. Throughout the year-long investigation, the smugglers reportedly transported “up to a thousand kilos” of drugs utilizing these UAVs.
As reported by El Pais, drug traffickers in southern Spain have a history of employing creative strategies to evade law enforcement. Speedboats, which have traditionally been used for smuggling, can carry more per trip but are easier to detect and intercept.
This isn’t the first instance of drones being utilized for drug transport from Morocco. In July 2021, Malaga police dismantled a French organized crime group also based in Costa del Sol, which operated a large drone capable of carrying up to 150kg, albeit requiring it to land for delivery.
In 2022, a father and son team in Cadiz was arrested for developing underwater drones with the capacity to transport 150-200kg of drugs and for sharing this technology with various international criminal organizations.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
The Straits of Gibraltar, at their narrowest point, measure less than 15km, and authorities in Spain have faced ongoing challenges in addressing smuggling from North Africa. While boats have the capacity to transport larger quantities, they are also more susceptible to interception—unlike drones.
“The ‘narcodrones’ were manufactured in Ukraine and then transported by road to the south of our country,” stated the Policia Nacional in a recent announcement.
Criminal organizations operating in Campo de Gibraltar and Costa del Sol utilized the drones. A total of six raids were conducted in Algeciras and Marbella, leading to the detention of ten individuals, with seven already incarcerated, according to police sources.
The investigation, called “Operation Cyclone,” received support from Europol and the police forces of Ukraine and Poland, as reported by Madrid.
Police confiscated three drones in total, with two being operational and one still under construction. These Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have the capacity to transport up to 10kg of hashish per flight and cover a range of around 50km, enabling them to deliver their cargo in southern Spain from Morocco without landing, according to police reports.
The identities of the detainees have not been disclosed; however, police noted that the drones were operated by “individuals from Eastern European countries” working on behalf of local criminal enterprises. Throughout the year-long investigation, the smugglers reportedly transported “up to a thousand kilos” of drugs utilizing these UAVs.
As reported by El Pais, drug traffickers in southern Spain have a history of employing creative strategies to evade law enforcement. Speedboats, which have traditionally been used for smuggling, can carry more per trip but are easier to detect and intercept.
This isn’t the first instance of drones being utilized for drug transport from Morocco. In July 2021, Malaga police dismantled a French organized crime group also based in Costa del Sol, which operated a large drone capable of carrying up to 150kg, albeit requiring it to land for delivery.
In 2022, a father and son team in Cadiz was arrested for developing underwater drones with the capacity to transport 150-200kg of drugs and for sharing this technology with various international criminal organizations.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
