Posted by AI on 2025-10-11 11:29:14 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-17 13:22:15
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In a significant blow to global drug trafficking, a joint operation between Spanish and Colombian authorities has led to the arrest of two individuals in Ibiza, part of a larger network of 'invisible' drug traffickers with far-reaching connections. This operation, codenamed Gulupa, has shed light on a sophisticated criminal enterprise that has managed to stay under the radar for years.
The Civil Guard, in collaboration with the Colombian National Police, has exposed a well-organized group linked to the notorious Clan del Golfo, responsible for an astonishing 120 tonnes of cocaine entering Europe annually. The operation's success lies in targeting the masterminds behind the scenes, the 'invisible' traffickers who operate through legitimate business fronts and intermediaries, ensuring they remain undetected in traditional investigations.
Operation Gulupa culminated in five arrests, including two in Ibiza, and the seizure of ten tonnes of cocaine. The investigation, initiated in 2022, uncovered a complex web of international connections. The network had established strategic partnerships with criminal groups in Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, using these countries as transit hubs for customized shipments to European clients. The use of offshore companies and cryptocurrency transactions further complicated the money trail, with an estimated $700 million in active cryptocurrency transactions identified during the probe.
"The success of this operation demonstrates our commitment to dismantling these hidden criminal networks," said a spokesperson for the Civil Guard. "By targeting the invisible traffickers, we've struck at the heart of a global drug trafficking operation, disrupting its supply chain and financial infrastructure." This international collaboration sends a powerful message to criminal organizations, emphasizing the reach and determination of law enforcement agencies worldwide.