Spanish police has cracked down on an Albanian criminal group that was engaged in the cultivation of marijuana in closed environments, after a large-scale operation carried out in the province of Zaragoza.
The investigations began in September 2024 and resulted in the arrest of nine Albanians.
On December 2, the Civil Guard carried out a total of eight raids on industrial warehouses in the towns of Cuarte de Huerva, San Mateo de Gállego, La Puebla de Alfindén and Zuera, as well as homes in the city of Zaragoza. They seized 2,013 cannabis plants, more than 20 kg of buds, cash, equipment used to cultivate narcotic plants and documents.
The stolen electricity alone to supply the plantations is worth 210 thousand euros, equivalent to the annual consumption of over 250 families.
The organization operated in a hierarchical manner.
The leader of the gang lived in the city of Zaragoza and relied on a few trusted associates, who were responsible for transporting the materials to the warehouse. The other members of the group were responsible for taking care of the plantation. They slept in the warehouse, which was equipped with mattresses, equipment and other necessary things, which allowed them to stay without having to leave the premises.
The nine detainees, all Albanian citizens aged between 21 and 46, appeared before the Court on Thursday, December 4. They are accused of drug cultivation or production, electricity fraud and participation in a criminal organization.
In addition, two of the detainees are charged with suspected forgery of documents.
