The Guardia Civil, Spain’s military-status national police force, said it had broken up a criminal organisation trafficking cannabis in Villanueva de la Cañada and Brunete, two towns in the Community of Madrid.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Investigators gathered indications of drug-trafficking activity in both municipalities before the operation, the force said in a statement issued on Saturday.[1][5] Officers then searched two premises: the home in Brunete where the alleged leaders of the organisation lived, and a commercial unit (local) in Villanueva de la Cañada.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Police seized 7.843 kg of hashish and 1.771 kg of marijuana, a combined 9.614 kg, the force said.[1][2][3][5][6][8] They also seized €721,000 in cash, two 12-gauge shotguns and five vehicles.[1][2][3][5][6][7][8] The Europa Press news agency reported that the five vehicles were allegedly linked to the criminal activity.[10][4]

Six people were detained as suspected perpetrators of offences against public health through drug trafficking, membership of a criminal organisation and money laundering.[1][2][3][5][6][8] The six arrested people, whose names and ages were not published, have been handed over to the courts.[1][4][5][6][7][8]

The Mayor of Villanueva de la Cañada, Luis Partida, publicly congratulated the Guardia Civil and the officers involved on breaking up the organisation[9]