National Police officers dismantled a heavily armed family drug gang in Almeria in an operation dubbed Olea, making five arrests.[1][2] The clan ran indoor cannabis farms and stored and moved hashish from properties tied to one family in El Puche and on a farm in El Acebuche.[1][2] The investigation stays open and more arrests are expected.[1]
Power cuts gave the grows away
Officers opened the probe after repeated power cuts in the El Puche neighbourhood pointed to illegal electricity siphoning, typical of indoor grows.[1] Surveillance led them to several properties used for cultivation, stash storage, weapons concealment and laundering cash.[1] The raids were led by the Provincial Judicial Police with the backing of Investigating Court No. 6.[1]
Police seized about two tonnes of hashish in 49 bales and 740 kg of marijuana, including 1,745 plants at various stages of growth weighing 176 kg.[1][2] They also took a vehicle, packaging materials, a frequency jammer, a taser, satellite GPS equipment, a tracking beacon and 11,445 euros in cash.[1]
A war arsenal
What stood out was the weaponry: around 20 firearms, all loaded and ready to fire, including a 12mm semi-automatic shotgun, a Fabarm pump-action shotgun, a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic rifle, pistols and an Uzi submachine gun.[1][2] A government representative called it the third biggest recent hit against drug trafficking in the province, after operations in Pechina and Huercal de Almeria.[1] The national police chief in Almeria described the gang as highly active and dangerous.[1]
A follow-up account said police sources told Diario de Almeria that at least some of the firearms matched makes and models sent by NATO countries to Ukraine, a possible diversion investigators were still examining.[2]
