Gardai make arrest as gang behind Europe's biggest ever cocaine shipment busted
Gardai have helped take down an international crime gang that was involved in the largest ever cocaine shipment seized in Europe.
A key figure linked to the record-breaking seizure of 16 tonnes at the Port of Hamburg in 2021 has been arrested on Spain's Costa Blanca by Policia Nacional in cooperation with Lithuanian police and gardai.
A boss in the Lithuanian-run crew, he was arrested in the Orihuela area of Alicante province as authorities targeted traffickers who had been importing drugs from South America and Morocco for onward distribution across Europe.
He had been 'living discreetly' in Orihuela where he negotiated and organised transportation, Policia Nacional said, although he was always accompanied by two bodyguards.
Seven others were detained in Lithuania and one in Ireland as 25 searches in various countries resulted in the seizure of over €2 million in cash, seven firearms, 103 kilos of marijuana, GPS detectors, and encrypted mobile phones.
It has been reported how the Lithuanian gang used Spain as an 'auxiliary base' for the purchase of large quantities of hashish, cocaine and marijuana.
Seized cash
The gang then organised onward transport of the drugs from eastern Spain, Malaga, and Tarragona.
Meanwhile, they operated bases in Ireland and other countries from where they would export narcotics on ships, trucks and cars.
However, joint investigations set up after the 2021 Hamburg cocaine seizure led authorities to Spain and Lithuania where the gang was based.
Travelling with forged papers and maintaining strong security measures, it took police several weeks to identify their targets through extensive surveillance before they moved in to make arrests and carry out raids.
Some of the seized cocaine
Considered one of the most powerful drug trafficking groups in the Balkans, authorities in Vilnius believe the same crime gang is responsible for attempting to introduce the largest shipment of cocaine so far recorded into Europe.
Sixteen tonnes that were hidden in five containers containing construction materials from Paraguay were intercepted in February 2021 in the port of Hamburg.
This led to Operation Kamos that was launched by Lithuanian police four years ago, in the wake of the German seizure.
The kingpin-in-wait is arrested
At the time, Lithuanian police intercepted encrypted communications from a group of drug traffickers in the Balkans who referred to the loss of "16 kisses," the code name they used for the stash, due to its weight.
Investigations revealed that this group had been moving between four and seven tons of cocaine every month.
Spain and Ireland had served as "auxiliary bases" for their drug trafficking business.
While they used Spain as a transit area to Europe, Ireland was the destination for part of the cash proceeds for subsequent money-laundering.
From Tarragona and Málaga the crime gang transported drugs to their final destination by boat, truck, and car.
They also negotiated with criminal groups from Ukraine, Armenia, and other former Eastern Bloc countries for the purchase and sale of large shipments of cocaine, hashish, and marijuana.
All the while they operated with great discretion by staying in rented accommodation and travelled in rented vehicles that changed every few days.
Some of the seized firearms
According to El Pais, this hampered the police operation and delayed arrests on one occasion as investigators lost track of several of the group's main members hours before they were to be picked up.
This constant movement of gang members expedited the operation on June 8, days before police were due to make their move, after investigators learned that several of them were about to leave for other countries.
Now, after two years of surveillance, a coordinated raid across Spain, Lithuania, and Ireland saw authorities take down the ringleader operator and eight other suspects.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish animal charity issues warning over midnight 'cat-killing gangs'
An animal charity based in Co Cork has issued a warning to local cat owners following reports of gangs searching for family pets to "kill with packs of dogs". Volunteer group Cat Action Trust Cork took to social media on Saturday to issue the safety alert as they warned that "cat-killing gangs are going around at midnight" in the Glen area on Cork's northside, "looking for cats to kill with packs of dogs again." The warning comes just months after Gardai in Cork launched an investigation into claims that a gang of youths were handing live cats over to be savaged by dogs. The disturbing incidents allegedly occurred in the Mahon area in March and April of this year. Speaking to Neil Prendeville on Red FM in early April, Mahon resident Louise Brazier-Graf said the attacks began a few weeks previously when a large group of boys used an elderly, stray cat as bait in a dog fight. 'It was a Wednesday evening, around 8-8:30, and I went to close my windows and there was this commotion going on outside,' she said. 'There was a huge group of boys, about 10 groups of boys, two grey [...] lurches. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week 'They actually handed this poor, defenseless cat to the lurches. 'My son and I ran outside, screamed at them, got them to go away, but the two dogs ravaged the cat, and I watched the poor animal die. "It's one of the most horrific things that I've ever actually had to witness.' Louise continued: "And then last night's one was a neighbour's cat, and it was killed outside the front of its house after a dog was set on it. 'I heard the commotion, I heard the cat screaming, but of course, by the time we got there, he was done. 'The two youths just ran away and my son and another neighbour chased the dog. They tried to catch him to keep the dog and put him in with the pound or whatever, but they couldn't catch him. Gardai confirmed at the time that they "received reports of suspected animal cruelty that occurred in the Mahon area of Cork City on the 8th of April 2025," and that "Enquiries are ongoing.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Man & woman rushed to hospital after horror two-car crash on main street of busy Irish village as gardai seal off route
A MAN and a woman have been rushed to hospital following a two-vehicle crash on the main street of a small Irish village. The collision took place on the Main Street of Kerrykeel village in Co The driver of a car, a man in his 40s, was rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital in a condition understood to be serious. His passenger, a girl in her late teens, did not require immediate hospital treatment after being assessed at the crash scene. The driver of the second car involved in the crash, a woman who is aged in her 70s, was also taken to hospital for assessment. READ MORE IRISH NEWS The extent of her injuries is not known at this time. Gardai have sealed off the main street of the village and have started an investigation into the circumstances of the crash. In a statement this afternoon, a spokesperson for the force urged anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. A spokesperson said: "Gardai at Milford are appealing for witnesses following a two-vehicle collision in Kerrykeel, County Donegal, on Saturday, 2nd of August 2025. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "Shortly after 10:45 am, Gardai and emergency services responded to a two-car collision on the R246 at Main Street, Kerrykeel. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads "The driver of one of the cars involved, a man in his 40s, was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where his condition is understood to be serious. "His passenger, a female in her late teens, did not require immediate hospital treatment. The driver of the second vehicle, a woman in her 70s, was also taken to hospital for assessment. "The scene has been preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and traffic diversions remain in place. "Gardai are urging anyone who witnessed the collision or has relevant camera footage, including dash cam, from the area at the time to come forward. 'ONE OF BUSIEST WEEKENDS ON ROADS' "Anyone with information is asked to contact Milford Garda Station on (074) 915 3060, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." The statement added: "Investigations are ongoing." Gardai and the RSA have teamed up to urge everyone to take on the roads over this bank holiday weekend. Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon said: "This is one of the busiest weekends on the roads. Not just for motorists, but at this time of year, it's one of the busiest weekends for cyclists and pedestrians. "We ask everybody to be very conscious of our vulnerable road users, our cyclists and our pedestrians. "We're asking people to slow down, we're asking people to just plan their journey ahead. Some will have long journeys this weekend, so take your time and take your breaks. "Don't be using mobile phones or anything that might distract you while driving. We really do not want to be visiting another family with terrible news this weekend." Officers will be "out in force" until Wednesday with extra checkpoints and "considerable more enforcement" in relation to speeding, mobile phone use and seatbelts. Chief Supt McMahon added: "Please drive carefully and drive responsibly.' 1 The serious crash took place on the R246 at Main Street in Kerrykeel Credit: GOOGLE STREETVIEW
Sunday World
12 hours ago
- Sunday World
Irish tourist involved in fatal collision with cyclist in Santa Ponsa
No arrests are believed to have been made with local reports stating the cyclist had rode the wrong way into the street. An Irish tourist has been involved in a death crash in a Majorcan holiday resort. The 38-year-old was at the wheel of a rental car which collided head-on with a 51-year-old German cyclist in Santa Ponsa a short drive from the party resort of Magaluf. Police spent nearly half an hour trying to save the man knocked off his bike before paramedics arrived and confirmed he was dead and nothing could be done to revive him. No arrests are believed to have been made although a local judge has opened an investigation into the accident. Santa Ponsa. Photo: Getty Unconfirmed reports said the unnamed cyclist, who lived in Majorca, had rode the wrong way into the street where the collision occurred. It happened just before 5pm on Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Ramon de Moncada Street and Bartomeu Rossello Planas Street. Initial reports described the dead man only as 'foreign' with no details given out about the driver. Today a spokesman for Calvia Council, the municipality whose local police officers were involved in attempts to save the cyclist's life, said: 'At approximately 4.40 p.m. on 31 July 2025, police were alerted to a traffic accident at the intersection of Ramon de Moncada Street and Bartomeu Rossello Planas Street in the Santa Ponsa residential area involving a car and a bicycle. 'As a result of the accident, the cyclist was lying on the road with serious injuries. 'Within minutes, several police units and 061 emergency medical services arrived at the scene. 'According to witness statements, the officers were able to verify that the car collided head-on when its driver was about to turn onto Ramon de Moncada Street from Bartomeu Rossello Planas Street. 'As a result of the impact, the cyclist suffered serious injuries and went into cardiac arrest. 'Initially, the officers performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for more than twenty-five minutes until the arrival of the emergency services, who certified the death of the cyclist. 'Those involved are a 38-year-old Irish driver of a rental vehicle who was on holiday in Santa Ponsa and the cyclist, a 51-year-old German resident. "The police notified the duty court and the duty coroner was dispatched to the scene.' Although local police employed by Calvia Town Hall were involved in the initial emergency response, officers from the Civil Guard force are now understood to be liaising with the investigating court. The police force could not be reached for comment today. It is not known whether the Irish tourist, who has not been named, was travelling alone in the hire car or with other people.
