Spain seizes 20 tons of hashish in decade's top drug haul (Roundup)

Nov 12, 2010, 12:34 GMT

Madrid - Spanish customs services have seized 20 tons of hashish in the country's biggest drug haul in a decade, customs sources said Friday.

The drug was discovered on board a Dutch-flagged fishing vessel in international waters south-west of Cadiz. The three Dutch crew members were detained.

Helicopters, aircraft and vessels participated in intercepting the 40-metres-long vessel which was initially spotted off north-western Spain.

Spanish police frequently seize hashish produced in Morocco.

One of the biggest cocaine rings operating between Spain and Latin America was meanwhile dismantled in an international operation, police said.

Cocaine was smuggled to Spain in one-kilogramme packages hidden inside apple containers, which were imported by front companies from Argentina to Vigo and other Spanish ports.

Police held 50 suspects in Madrid, eastern and north-western Spain as well as Argentina. Police said the network was run mainly by Colombian and Mexican nationals.

Police searched about 20 addresses, seizing more than 5.5 million euros (7.5 million euros) in cash as well as 65 luxury vehicles. The ring leaders had such a lavish lifestyle that one of them spent more than 2,000 euros daily, police said.

About 3.4 tons of cocaine were confiscated in Argentina and Brazil.

Read more about Argentina

Read more about Spain Crime