The United States ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, celebrated this Saturday the ‘coup’ against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Spain, after the dismantling of an operational “office” of the criminal organization.
“Congratulations to Spain for this recent success! This operation reminds us that cartels will be targets of partner and allied nations wherever they are located. With the joint action of the United States and Mexico we are dismantling supply chains, attacking financial operators and dismantling trafficking operations at all stages. Our countries are safer when we act together,” Johnson wrote on his X account.
The diplomat referred to the call ‘Operation Oyamel’carried out on November 18 by the Spanish National Police, in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and police authorities in the Netherlands, which culminated with 20 arrested in Madrid, Ávila, Bilbao, Valencia and Toledo.
The detainees, some belonging to the neapolitan mafiathey allegedly introduced large quantities of drugs – cocaine and methamphetamines – into Spain from South America that were hidden in large-tonnage industrial machinery.
During the operation, the agents seized 1,870 kilos of cocaine, 375 kilos of amphetamine, 275 thousand euros in cash, cryptocurrencies worth 15 thousand dollars, three short firearms, 15 vehicles and 14 kilos of silver.
The CJNG network in Spain and its connection with the Neapolitan mafia
The investigation revealed that the CJNG network in Spain operated from a farm in the province of Ávilawith branches in Bilbao y Valencia. In addition, another farm in Talavera de la Reina served as a logistics point to receive the machinery with hidden drugs, and then send it to Italiain connection with the Neapolitan camorra (mafia).
Among those arrested is a Spanish businessman that he would have laundered money from the cartel through several commercial companies. In addition, the authorities identified at least two priority objectives for the DEA within the Spanish structure.
‘Operation Oyamel’ was developed in two phases: one aimed at dismantling the operational core and another to attack the distribution points in the Basque Country and Valencia. During the joint exploitation phase with Netherlandsa shipment from Costa Rica was intercepted, hidden in industrial machinery inside a maritime container.
The United States embassy in Madrid He also extended his congratulations to the Spanish National Police, the DEA and their Dutch counterparts for the “successful joint operation that led to the arrest of 20 drug traffickers” linked to the Mexican cartel. “Congratulations!” he noted in a post on X.
The investigation by the Spanish authorities began this year, when it was detected that cocaine was being introduced into Spain hidden in large-tonnage industrial machinery, taking advantage of the corporate structure of the detained Spanish businessman, considered one of the main objectives at the service of the CJNG.
Investigators point out that the organization had reactivated its operational structure due to the arrival of a shipment of drugs, hidden in heavy machinery, incorporating new mexican members expressly sent by the cartel.
With information from EFE.
