British arrests involved in the drugs traffic and stolen vehicle trade in the Costa del Sol.

Guardia Civil’s Organised Crime Unit in Malaga have arrested 21 people allegedly involved in the drugs traffic and stolen vehicle trade in Marbella. Among their alleged activities was the smuggling of hash into Spain hidden in prams under sleeping babies as they passed customs.During the operation 13 others have also been charged. They 21 arrested are of Chilean (1), Moroccan (5), Spanish (8), French (5) and British (2) nationalities. More than 1.5 tons of hash, 11 vehicles, 56,500 euros in cash and a number of electrical items such as mobile phones and laptops were also seized.The investigation was launched in February 2008 following intelligence received by the Spanish authorities that suggested the existence of a hash trafficking network working out of the Costa del Sol.The network was made up of three separate cells that were structured and organised to be able to work independently of each other, something that made the investigators task more taxing.Once the drugs were smuggled into Spain they were hidden in secret compartments build in transport vehicles and smuggled into France.One of the cells smuggled cocaine hidden in chocolate bars that were brought into Spain via the postal service.Another one of the cells specialised in the buying and selling of stolen cars. These were modified and transported to Ceuta. From there they were driven to Morocco.In some cases the stolen vehicles were complete disassembled to appear to be second hand parts or scrap metal.