Spanish police said they dismantled a helicopter-based drug-smuggling ring that flew hashish from Morocco into southern Spain. Raids in Málaga, Almería and Murcia recovered one helicopter, about 1,448 lbs (657 kg) of hashish, firearms, cash and vehicles, and led to six arrests. The operation, code-named "Giro," involved cooperation with Moroccan, Belgian and Swedish authorities and highlights Spain's role as a key gateway for drugs into Europe. Authorities also noted recent use of drones in smuggling and other major seizures earlier this year.
Spanish Police Bust Helicopter Drug Ring Smuggling Hashish From Morocco
Spanish authorities on Saturday announced they dismantled a criminal network that used helicopters to fly hashish into southern Spain from Morocco in a rare aerial smuggling operation.
The Civil Guard said the helicopters involved could carry between 500 and 900 kilograms (about 1,100–2,000 pounds) per flight. Seized consignments had been stored in rural estates and warehouses across southern Spain before being moved by road in vans to other European destinations.
Coordinated raids in the provinces of Málaga, Almería and Murcia led officers to confiscate one helicopter, 1,448 pounds (about 657 kg) of hashish, five firearms, cash and multiple vehicles, the Civil Guard said in a statement. Six suspects were arrested.
“Late-night movements by several suspects between Málaga and Almería alerted investigators to a possible large-scale trafficking operation,”the Civil Guard said, adding that surveillance revealed close coordination with people making frequent shipments from Morocco.
A police source told Reuters that using helicopters is uncommon because such aircraft are easy to detect and difficult to buy on the black market — though criminal groups sometimes attempt the tactic. Officers published images from the operation, code-named "Giro," on social media.
Investigators said the helicopters landed in sparsely populated locations where teams waited to unload the hashish and transfer it by van to multiple storage sites. The operation included cooperation from Moroccan, Belgian and Swedish law enforcement agencies.
Wider Context
Spain's geographic position — its proximity to Morocco and strong ties to Latin America — makes it a major entry point for drugs entering Europe, though most smuggling traditionally occurs by sea. Authorities have also disrupted networks using drones to ferry drugs across the Strait of Gibraltar in the past year.
Recent related actions cited by police include the disruption of local cells linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), an operation that resulted in 20 arrests, and an October seizure of 6.5 tons of cocaine and nine arrests after a U.S. tip-off off the Canary Islands. Spanish police said information from the DEA played an instrumental role in that operation.
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