Two Bulgarians among the suspects detained in Europol's operation which took down a drug super cartel

Two Bulgarian nationals have been detained in Spain during Europol's international operation against drug trafficking, the Ministry of Interior told BNT on November 29. The operation was carried out on 8 November, 2022.

"An international operation codenamed Faukas was carried out on 8 November 2022 on the territory of the Kingdom of Spain, concerning an international criminal organization engaged in trafficking large quantities of cocaine from Latin America. The trafficking was carried out through the use of sea containers loaded with legal cargo. On 8 November, 2022, a total of 13 persons were arrested on the territory of the Kingdom of Spain, two of whom were Bulgarian nationals and two others of foreign nationality on the territory of Dubai. During the searches carried out, approximately 530,000 euros were found and seized, as well as property valued at approximately 24 million euros."

During the investigation, which took place over a period of two years, nearly 30 tonnes of cocaine were seized in various parts of Europe, mainly in Spain. A total of 49 persons with links to the criminal organisation were arrested.

The police forces of the Kingdom of Spain with Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the United Arab Emirates, the DEA USA and Bulgaria were leading the investigation. Two officers from the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime - Ministry of Interior participated in the implementation. The whole operation was assisted and coordinated by Europol.