Headlines
Spanish police bust gang that used helicopters to fly drugs from Morocco
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 13, 2025
Last updated: January 7, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 13, 2025
Last updated: January 7, 2026
MADRID, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Spanish police said on Saturday they had broken up a criminal gang that used helicopters to smuggle hashish from Morocco, in a rare operation against aerial drug trafficking.
The helicopters, which could carry between 500 and 900 kilograms (1,100-2,000 pounds) of drugs, flew across the Mediterranean to southern Spain, where the hashish was then transported by road to other parts of Europe, Civil Guard spokesperson Gonzalo Lopez said.
Police seized one helicopter in an isolated warehouse, along with 657 kg of hashish, five firearms, cash and vehicles during raids in the provinces of Malaga, Almeria and Murcia.
Six people were arrested in the operation, which also involved Moroccan, Belgian and Swedish law enforcement agencies.
"It is rare for helicopters to be used to smuggle drugs but occasionally they (criminal gangs) do try. Remember that helicopters are easy to detect and hard to buy on the black market," a police source told Reuters.
Earlier this year, Spanish police dismantled crime groups that used drones to transport drugs from Morocco to Spain.
Spain's geographic position makes it a key entry point for hashish into Europe, mainly from Morocco, and cocaine smuggled from Latin America. Hashish is usually smuggled by sea, sometimes using high-speed launches or jet-skis.
The six suspects have been remanded in custody on suspicion of drug trafficking, belonging to a criminal organisation and possession of firearms.
The Civil Guard did not say when the operation, called Giro, took place.
(Reporting by Graham Keeley. Editing by Mark Potter)
Drug trafficking is the illegal trade of drugs and controlled substances. It involves the production, distribution, and sale of illegal drugs, often organized by criminal groups.
A criminal organization is a structured group of individuals engaged in illegal activities, typically for profit. These organizations can operate locally, nationally, or internationally.
Hashish is a concentrated form of cannabis made from the resin of the cannabis plant. It is often consumed for its psychoactive effects.
Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks followed by coordinated efforts to minimize, monitor, and control the probability of unfortunate events.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
