Dismantling of the Drug Trafficking Gang Led by “El Tarta,” Involved in the Kidnapping of Algerian Journalist Hichem Aboud
Phone and vehicle surveillance of the organization revealed the gang’s support for other international criminal networks; the objective was to put the kidnapped writer on a boat bound for the African coast.
Raids and arrests took place in Seville and Cádiz, mainly in the city of Lebrija.
According to the renowned Spanish newspaper ABC, the Civil Guard, as part of Operation “Insula,” arrested 23 people belonging to the criminal organization known as “El Tarta”, specialized in large-scale hashish smuggling from Morocco through the Guadalquivir River, using speedboats.
A total of 452 kilograms of hashish and 22,406 liters of gasoline were seized, and two stolen vehicles used for drug transportation were recovered.
Twenty house searches were carried out in the provinces of Seville and Cádiz, mainly in the city of Lebrija, where most of those involved in this operation were located. Among the detainees is Tarta, the leader of the organization and a long-time drug trafficker in the region.
Additionally, three boats equipped with 300-horsepower engines were seized, along with €54,840 in cash and a large quantity of electronic and computing equipment, including geolocation devices, security cameras, satellite phones, and nautical GPS.
The criminal organization was perfectly structured hierarchically, with each member playing an established role within it. It is noteworthy that they had vast logistical capabilities, possessing hideouts for drug storage, as well as gas cylinders to supply the smuggling boats while navigating the Guadalquivir River.
So far, 20 house searches have been conducted in the cities of San Roque (one), Lebrija (eleven), El Palmar de Troya (one), Trebujena (three), Sanlúcar de Barrameda (two), and Rota (two), resulting in the arrest of 23 people.
The operation was carried out by agents of the Drug Organized Crime Team (EDOA) of the Organic Unit of the Judicial Police (UOPJ) of the Algeciras Command, in coordination with the Andalusian CRAN zone.
Source: ABC Premium
