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The Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil), in close cooperation with the National Police and the Tax Agency, successfully exposed and eliminated an international criminal organization specializing in the illegal sale of weight loss pills with amphetamine derivatives. As a result of the operation, 20 members of the group were arrested, who used social networks and websites to sell pills under the guise of a harmless dietary supplement. During the searches, more than 500,000 pills, 200,000 euros in cash, various types of firearms and narcotic substances were seized.
The investigation was initiated in February of this year, after a signal from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products. The agency found that diet pills contain an amphetamine compound that poses a serious health threat. In addition, complaints were registered from people who had health problems due to these pills.
As a result of the police investigation, it was possible to get a complete picture of the organization's work and establish the identity of all its participants. Through social networks and websites, they deceived the police under the guise of anonymity, providing false information and hiding their activities.
The center of operations of the criminal network was a beauty clinic, where the gendarmes found the main logistics link of the group. From there, contacts were made with tablet manufacturers in Turkey and their purchase and distribution were coordinated.
During the investigation, four suitcases containing more than 120 kilograms of cosmetics, including weight loss pills, were confiscated at the Adolfo Suarez-Madrid-Barajas airport. One of the leaders of the organization admitted that part of the group left her a debt of 460,000 euros for the purchase of cosmetics, which confirmed the existence of an internal conflict in the network.
Raids in Malaga, Granada and Madrid
The final phase of the operation took place in the provinces of Malaga, Granada and Madrid. During four searches, almost 10 kilograms of drugs, firearms, more than 500,000 pills, an expensive car and 200,000 euros in cash were seized. 9 bank accounts were blocked and 20 people were arrested, who were brought to court on charges of crimes against public health, fraud, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization.
Opinions from other media outlets:
The organization used a well-developed system to disguise its activities, using shell companies and numerous bank accounts to launder money and hide traces of illegal sales. This allowed them to successfully avoid law enforcement agencies for a long time. The fraudulent schemes used by criminals also included the use of couriers to deliver goods across Europe, which significantly complicated the task of law enforcement agencies to track the supply chain.
It was established that the criminal group operated not only in Spain, but also had connections with various international partners, including producers of raw materials in Turkey and distributors in other European countries. This indicates a high level of organization and coordination among the group members. In Spain, the pills were advertised and sold through social media and special websites aimed at people looking for quick methods to lose weight. The investigation also revealed the use of instant messengers and encrypted communications to coordinate activities and exchange information.
After the arrests and confiscations, the property of the accused, including movable and immovable property, was seized in order to compensate for the damage caused to the victims and the State. Organized crime units continue to identify all links in the chain and investigate possible additional crimes related to this network. An important task of the investigation was also to identify all funding channels and block funds that could be used to further finance illegal operations.
This operation was a significant blow to international criminal activity related to the sale of counterfeit and dangerous drugs for health. The joint work of the Civil Guard, the National Police and the Tax Agency has once again demonstrated the effectiveness of interagency cooperation in the fight against organized crime. Future efforts will focus on preventing the recurrence of such situations and monitoring the market for possible new illegal drugs.
• Source:
The investigation was initiated in February of this year, after a signal from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products. The agency found that diet pills contain an amphetamine compound that poses a serious health threat. In addition, complaints were registered from people who had health problems due to these pills.
As a result of the police investigation, it was possible to get a complete picture of the organization's work and establish the identity of all its participants. Through social networks and websites, they deceived the police under the guise of anonymity, providing false information and hiding their activities.
The center of operations of the criminal network was a beauty clinic, where the gendarmes found the main logistics link of the group. From there, contacts were made with tablet manufacturers in Turkey and their purchase and distribution were coordinated.
During the investigation, four suitcases containing more than 120 kilograms of cosmetics, including weight loss pills, were confiscated at the Adolfo Suarez-Madrid-Barajas airport. One of the leaders of the organization admitted that part of the group left her a debt of 460,000 euros for the purchase of cosmetics, which confirmed the existence of an internal conflict in the network.
Raids in Malaga, Granada and Madrid
The final phase of the operation took place in the provinces of Malaga, Granada and Madrid. During four searches, almost 10 kilograms of drugs, firearms, more than 500,000 pills, an expensive car and 200,000 euros in cash were seized. 9 bank accounts were blocked and 20 people were arrested, who were brought to court on charges of crimes against public health, fraud, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization.
Opinions from other media outlets:
The organization used a well-developed system to disguise its activities, using shell companies and numerous bank accounts to launder money and hide traces of illegal sales. This allowed them to successfully avoid law enforcement agencies for a long time. The fraudulent schemes used by criminals also included the use of couriers to deliver goods across Europe, which significantly complicated the task of law enforcement agencies to track the supply chain.
It was established that the criminal group operated not only in Spain, but also had connections with various international partners, including producers of raw materials in Turkey and distributors in other European countries. This indicates a high level of organization and coordination among the group members. In Spain, the pills were advertised and sold through social media and special websites aimed at people looking for quick methods to lose weight. The investigation also revealed the use of instant messengers and encrypted communications to coordinate activities and exchange information.
After the arrests and confiscations, the property of the accused, including movable and immovable property, was seized in order to compensate for the damage caused to the victims and the State. Organized crime units continue to identify all links in the chain and investigate possible additional crimes related to this network. An important task of the investigation was also to identify all funding channels and block funds that could be used to further finance illegal operations.
This operation was a significant blow to international criminal activity related to the sale of counterfeit and dangerous drugs for health. The joint work of the Civil Guard, the National Police and the Tax Agency has once again demonstrated the effectiveness of interagency cooperation in the fight against organized crime. Future efforts will focus on preventing the recurrence of such situations and monitoring the market for possible new illegal drugs.
• Source:
