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Spain and Brazil Dismantle Marble-Cargo Cocaine Route After 1.5-Tonne Seizure

Cross-border coordination by Spain’s National Police, customs surveillance and Brazil’s federal force shut down the air corridor used to hide drugs in stone furniture.

Overview

  • Authorities intercepted about 1,200 kilograms at Belo Horizonte airport and 250 kilograms in a warehouse in Vilanova i la Geltrú after tracking a shipment moved from Madrid’s Barajas cargo terminal.
  • Three suspects were arrested in the operation known as Petra, and a judge ordered two of them into pre-trial detention.
  • The group used front companies and ran a five-container dry run with bricks to test the route before sending real consignments.
  • Cocaine was concealed in marble tables, countertops and sinks flown to Barajas and then distributed by road to industrial sites across Spain.
  • Police seized a van, a truck, mobile phones and cash, noted the use of perfumes to mask odors, and reported attempts to destroy phones as investigations continue.