Spanish authorities have dismantled a major drug smuggling tunnel running from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Melilla, arresting 27 people and seizing 8.5 tons of hashish. The operation, conducted by the Spanish National Police and Civil Guard, targeted a sophisticated 500-meter-long passage equipped with ventilation, lighting, and rail tracks.
The tunnel originated in a villa in the Moroccan province of Nador and emerged in an industrial warehouse in Melilla. Investigators stated the criminal organization had invested significant resources into its construction to facilitate the large-scale transport of narcotics into European markets.
In addition to the hashish, police confiscated vehicles, communications equipment, and tools used in the tunnel's construction and operation. The 27 individuals arrested are suspected of belonging to a transnational criminal network involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.
This operation is part of ongoing efforts by Spanish and Moroccan authorities to combat drug trafficking organizations that exploit the proximity of the North African coast. Similar subterranean passages have been discovered in the past, highlighting the continuous evolution of smuggling methods.
