Spanish and German police arrested 18 people and prosecuted nine more as they dismantled an organised network trafficking marijuana from Spain to other European countries, above all Germany.[1] The joint Operation Carambolas, run by the Spanish Guardia Civil and the German Central Customs Investigation Service with Europol support, seized one tonne of marijuana, 212,000 euros in cash, firearms, ammunition and eight vehicles.[1]

The network moved marijuana through cells established in Málaga and Granada in southern Spain under direction from Bremen in Germany, structured so that the supply would survive if one cell was discovered.[1] The investigation began the previous June after a German member of the network was seen acquiring a large amount of marijuana in southern Spain.[1] A first phase dismantled two marijuana factories in the south, taking nearly 100 kg of marijuana and 172,000 euros in cash, and two Guardia Civil officers were seriously injured arresting one gang member.[1] Those arrested came from eight countries: Croatia, Germany, Spain, Albania, Armenia, Serbia, Syria and Turkey.[1]