Overview
- Police made the arrests across Barcelona, Madrid, Girona, A Coruña and Valencia in what they call Spain’s first operation against a suspected cell of the Venezuelan gang.
- Officers dismantled two laboratories used to make tusi and seized synthetic drugs and cocaine.
- Investigators say the cell was in an early phase and likely operated since 2023 in parts of Barcelona and in Madrid’s El Cañaveral neighborhood.
- The probe began after the 2024 arrest in Barcelona of the leader’s brother and now focuses on identifying cocaine suppliers and any additional associates.
- The operation had support from the Colombian National Police and AMERIPOL, as the U.S. lists the gang as a terrorist organization and reports at least 18 maritime strikes since September with at least 70 fatalities.