Spanish police arrested three men in January after four parcels containing nearly 15.4 pounds of dried opium poppy were intercepted at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport. Laboratory analysis identified the material as Papaver somniferum, and a wider operation recovered about 1,161 pounds more. Investigators say the suspects were linked to thefts from licensed pharmaceutical poppy plantations in Albacete and remain in custody as the investigation continues.
Three Arrested in Spain Over Mail Shipments of Opium Poppy; More Than 1,160 lbs Seized
A stash of about 1,161 pounds of Papaver somniferum, also known as opium poppy, was seized in Spain. / Credit: Spanish Civil Guard(Spanish Civil Guard)
Three men were arrested in Spain in January on suspicion of sending dried opium poppy capsules by post within Spain and to the United States, the Spanish Civil Guard said.
The investigation began in September after authorities intercepted four postal consignments at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport that contained nearly 15.4 pounds (about 7 kg) of plant material. Laboratory tests identified the substance as Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy species linked to the production of opium and its derivatives.
Operation and Seizures
Investigators discovered the parcels all listed the same surname for senders and recipients and had been mailed from different addresses in Los Alcazares, in the Murcia region. The inquiry identified three men from the same clan, all born in India, who were arrested. Authorities later seized an additional stash of approximately 1,161 pounds (about 527 kg) of Papaver somniferum during the operation.
Links To Licensed Plantations
Police checks linked the suspects to recent thefts from legally licensed opium-poppy plantations in the province of Albacete, which cultivate the plant for pharmaceutical use. These licensed crops are tightly controlled, officials said.
'In Spain, there are legal crops of this plant intended for pharmaceutical use,' said Guardia Civil spokesman Álvaro Gallardo. 'But there are many people who extract opium completely illegally for consumption or trafficking, something dangerous if done uncontrollably, since it is a narcotic substance.'
The three detainees were presented to the investigating court of the judicial district of Elche, which ordered their pretrial detention while the probe continues.
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