Spanish authorities have made a groundbreaking discovery by unearthing a meticulously engineered drug-smuggling tunnel that illicitly connects Morocco with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. This critical finding emerged during “Operation Hades,” an extensive and focused investigation dedicated to dismantling the complex drug trafficking networks that have long plagued the region.
Situated approximately 12 meters below ground level, the tunnel stretches 50 meters from an abandoned warehouse in Ceuta’s bustling Tarajal industrial zone, ultimately penetrating Moroccan territory. This clandestine passageway is equipped with essential lighting and reinforced with robust wooden supports, showcasing the remarkable level of organization and strategic planning typically associated with major criminal enterprises. Authorities suspect that this sophisticated tunnel was primarily designed for the transportation of vast quantities of hashish into Spain, highlighting an alarming evolution in the operational tactics of these traffickers.
The momentum for this investigation was sparked by the interception of a colossal shipment-a truck loaded with an astonishing 3,000 kilograms of hashish—at Ceuta’s busy port in 2023. This landmark operation has led to the arrest of 14 individuals, including two officers from the Civil Guard, marking a significant victory in the ongoing battle against organized crime. Concurrently, law enforcement seized over 6,000 kilograms of hashish concealed within three additional trucks, further revealing the extensive scale of this trafficking enterprise.
The collaboration among various criminal organizations in both the construction and ongoing monitoring of the tunnel reveals a highly coordinated effort to facilitate the illegal drug trade. With Ceuta and Melilla being Spain’s only land borders with Africa, the unearthing of this tunnel underscores the complex and multifaceted challenges that both Spanish and Moroccan authorities face in their relentless confrontation with drug trafficking and organized crime along their shared border.
As the investigation progresses, law enforcement agencies remain resolutely committed to identifying all individuals involved in this expansive criminal network and thoroughly assessing the tunnel’s role in their illicit activities.
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