© AFP
31 people were arrested during a large-scale action against the import of cocaine to the European Union. In addition, 3.2 tons of cocaine were also seized, according to Europol.
The 31 people were arrested in Spain and Ecuador. Among them are also the two suspected kingpins of the cocaine trade: an Italian man with Argentinian roots who lives in Marbella and an Albanian from Ecuador.
Fruit companies from Ecuador served as a cover for the large-scale import of cocaine to the European Union. The criminal organization is said to have had a contractual agreement with suppliers from Colombia to transport 4 tons of cocaine every month. In Europe, the money was laundered in, among other things, a banana import company, but also in cafes, restaurants and commercial and sports centers.
During the investigation, a total of 3.2 tons of cocaine was seized in Albania, Belgium, Ecuador, the Netherlands and Turkey.
On the day of action itself, in addition to the 31 arrests, 25 vehicles, 10 guns and 3 million euros in cash were seized and 48 million euros in property was confiscated.