Spanish police arrest 197 gang members with help from EU

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – Spain's National Police on Friday announced that they had arrested 197 members of organized crime networks in 29 separate investigations supported by Europol and EU funds.

In the investigations, they also seized large quantities of drugs and €4.2 million (approximately $4.5 million) in cash.

The investigations were mainly focused on breaking up criminal networks dedicated to drug trafficking.

The groups had been signaled by Europol as highly influential and willing to use violence and firearms to introduce massive quantities of drugs into the continent.

Of those detained, 33 were fugitives, some of whom were considered “extremely dangerous,” police said. Six of the detainees were identified as “prime targets” by EU authorities.

The arrested were from 34 different countries, mostly European, but also Canada, Colombia, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Charges include drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, sexual crimes, and possession of weapons, according to the police statement.

During the investigations, police also seized nearly 5 tons of cocaine, 1.8 tons of hashish, 1.3 tons of marijuana, 173 kilograms (381 pounds) of has, 3,300 ecstasy pills, 28 guns, and €4.2 million ($4.5 million) in cash.

Spain is known as one of Europe’s main entry points for illicit drugs, primarily cocaine shipped from South America.

Meanwhile, police seized properties worth around €12 million (approximately $ 12.77 million) and frozen bank accounts worth €10 million (approximately $10.64 million) belonging to these alleged criminal gang members.