Spanish police shuts down biggest cocaine lab in Europe

2011-01-19 07:53:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

MADRID, SPAIN (BNO NEWS) -- Spanish authorities on Tuesday announced the arrest of 25 people following an operation that shut down the biggest cocaine lab in Europe, El Pais newspaper reported.

An special operations group GEO raided a building suspected of hosting the biggest clandestine cocaine laboratory in Europe. The operation was executed on January 7 and as a result 300 kilograms of cocaine were seized.

In addition GEO operatives secured over two tons of chemicals as well as large sums of cash. Five people were arrested at the lab as well, on e Spanish national and four Colombian citizens.

These four Colombian individuals were the ones that set up the lab and installed the equipment. The Spanish national was in charge of the security of the building. After the arrest twenty more people were arrested for their links to the cocaine ring.

The operation known as "Collapse" began two years ago. The cocaine trafficking organization which was disrupted operated in Villanueva de Perales, Valdemorillo and Madrid.

The two main men of the organization were identified as the Colombian brothers Nestor Mario and Carlos Mauricio Gutierrez Ramirez. The lab was located in Villanueva de Perales outside Madrid. It consisted in a complex structure that included hideouts and fake wardrobes that concealed the lab entrances.

In another location in the Spanish capital, GEO operatives located and seized several firearms as well as over a million Euros. In addition, the Spanish-Colombian organization had around 470 mobile phones at its disposal.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-19

Columbians were involved ?