The Civil Guard has dismantled the largest speed laboratory in Europe as part of Operation Bateco. An operation that has ended with the seizure of about 800 kilograms of speed, eight of MDMA, more than 180,000 euros in cash, a gas-powered revolver, 11 cars and a truck.
The operation began following the arrest in June last year of a 42-year-old man and neighbour of Bilbao, who was carrying 40 kilograms of “Speed” in his vehicle. This arrest took place at a Citizen Security control at the toll in Zuasti (Navarra), near San Fermín.
In the course of the investigation, the agents in charge of the investigation located several points where exchanges of narcotic substances were carried out, which allowed interception last February in Berrioplano (Navarre), to a truck carrying 42 kilograms of “Speed”. A few days later, another vehicle with the same amount inside was intercepted in Zarauz (Guipúzcoa), all hidden in “caletas” (hideouts that drug traffickers prepare in the vehicles to hide the substances they transport).
First phase
As a result of a laborious investigation, the agents managed to locate the laboratory where the speed was made, packaged and from where constant trips were made for distribution throughout the national territory. All this was done among strong security measures to try to evade police action. The laboratory was located in offices located on the outskirts of the city of San Sebastián. In this first phase, on April 17, simultaneous records were made in the laboratory and in the homes of “the cook” and another man who also collaborated in the elaboration.
More than 600 kilograms of speed and numerous precursor substances were used in the laboratory to make Speed. In the house of one of the detainees was located 160,000 euros in cash. In the exploitation of this first phase, two men were arrested.
Second phase
After these arrests, the investigation was continued to try to locate the rest of the members of the organization who were acting as carriers of narcotic substances.
At the beginning of May, a man whom the investigators had to do with the plot was intercepted circulating with 18,000 euros inside a “caleta” that he had prepared in his vehicle. He was arrested and brought to justice. After this arrest, two more searches were carried out in the homes of members of this organized group who were residing in Madrid. In one of them, more than 8 kilograms of MDMA (ecstasy) and multiple utensils for the elaboration of narcotic substances were located.
In their vehicles were also found “coves” for transporting them. In addition, two large white weapons and a gas-powered revolver were also intervened.
Results
The “Livestock Operation” ended with the seizure of 770,927 kilograms of speed, 8,219 kilograms of MDMA, 500 grams of hashish, precursor substances (75 kilograms of caffeine, 88 liters of liquid amphetamine and 800 liters of various acids and alcohols), 185,355 euros in cash, 2 knives of 20 and 21 cm of edge, a gas-powered revolver, and 12 intervened vehicles (11 cars and 1 truck).
Eight men have been arrested in Navarra, Guipúzcoa, León and Madrid, aged between 35 and 58 years. Currently all of them are in prison.
The investigation was conducted in the first instance by Examining Court No. 1 of Pamplona and subsequently by Examining Court No. 4 of San Sebastián.
During the 10 months of the operation carried out by the Civil Guard of Navarre (led by the Organic Judicial Police Unit, with the support of Citizen Security Units), the Zones/Commanders of the Civil Guard of Guipúzcoa, Asturias, León, and Madrid have also collaborated, as well as the Rapid Action Group, the Reserve and Security Group No. 1 (Madrid), the Cinological Service and the Local Police of Camarma de Esteruelas (Madrid).