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The Spanish Civil Guard, in collaboration with the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie, dismantled a criminal ring and arrested its nine members who were transporting drugs by helicopter from Spain to Morocco, Spanish news agency Efe reported on Friday.
Among those arrested were two pilots experienced in night and low-altitude flying, according to the Spanish Civil Guard, which reported that two helicopters were intercepted and 795 kilograms of hashish were seized.
Surveillance of members of the organization began in mid-2023 after a member of the organization dedicated to international cannabis-trafficking was spotted. Investigators discovered that the organization was looking for pilots to carry out «drug flights» between Spain and Morocco.
After several months of investigation, agents confirmed that the organization had two helicopters that were hidden, one in a farm in the province of Seville and the other in Cadiz.
In the early hours of January 15, investigators discovered a «drug flight» in the province of Cadiz heading south from the organization's farm.
Investigators noticed that the helicopter was flying at a very low altitude and without any lights.
A Civil Guard helicopter was able to intercept the aircraft when it landed at a farm in Chiclana de la Frontera (Cádiz) and arrested five members of the criminal organization, including the pilot.
The helicopter was carrying 795 kilograms of cannabis, and a number of navigational devices and mobile terminals were also seized.
In the next phase of the investigation, four more members of the organization were arrested and a second helicopter was seized from a farm in the town of Utrera, Seville. This second helicopter was equipped to be able to carry out «drug flights».
