Overview
- Police executed coordinated raids after a French tip and tracked the shipment through Spain, with the enforcement action at the Almenar site carried out in July and publicly detailed on August 5.
- Investigators found the drug concealed dissolved in roughly 12 tonnes of liquid vanilla sent from Mexico and recovered it in a temporary, well‑equipped laboratory on a rural finca near Almenar (Lleida).
- Authorities seized approximately 2.4–2.5 tonnes of methamphetamine, chemical and industrial equipment, six vehicles and other material used to extract, purify and crystallize the drug.
- Thirteen people were arrested in simultaneous searches across Lleida, Barcelona and Tarragona and 12 of the detainees have been ordered into pretrial detention; suspects include Mexican, Spanish and Colombian nationals.
- Officials said the case shows how Mexican cartel cells use legitimate commercial consignments and itinerant European labs to supply demand, and investigators are still probing companies, routes and final distribution channels.