Overview

• Juzgado de Instrucción 14 of Barcelona ordered pretrial detention for Javier Martín Miñana and three co-defendants after their June 30 arrest on charges including bribery, disclosure of secrets and membership in a criminal organization
• Investigators executed 12 searches across Barcelona, Tarragona and Granada, seizing over 2.1 million cigarette packs valued at €8.8 million along with cash, cryptocurrencies, six vehicles and luxury watches
• Evidence indicates the smuggling ring used stevedores and transporters to clandestinely extract containers from the Port of Barcelona under the protection of an insider in the customs surveillance unit
• During a raid in Sant Pere de Ribes, a suspect armed with a 38 cm machete threatened Guardia Civil agents and was shot in the arm before being taken to Bellvitge hospital
• Authorities believe the operation has effectively dismantled the transnational network and is probing internal vulnerabilities highlighted by the arrest of a senior official days before his planned retirement