Spanish police dismantle arms and drug ring in Málaga, seizing 36 assault rifles and 120 kg of cocaine
Four arrested after National Police operation uncovers assault rifles, hand grenades, cocaine, hashish, ecstasy, and tusi across multiple municipalities in the province.
Initial seizure in May
The operation traces back to May 2026, when National Police officers intercepted a car transporting a cache of automatic weapons. The vehicle contained six long automatic firearms, three hand grenades, several magazines, and 180 cartridges of war ammunition. The driver was arrested at the scene and later placed in pre-trial detention. Given the suspects' high degree of specialisation, the police deployed the Special Operations Group (GOES) and the Aerial Means Unit to secure the initial seizure.
Uncovering the network
From that first arrest, investigators from the Drugs and Organised Crime Unit (Udyco) of the Málaga Provincial Police Station began to piece together a larger criminal organisation. The group was structured with defined roles and focused on the illicit trade of weapons and narcotics. The court in Vélez-Málaga placed the investigation under judicial secrecy, with the Public Prosecutor's Office overseeing the proceedings.
Monday's cocaine interception
On Monday, 20 July, Udyco Costa del Sol agents stopped a vehicle loaded with 120 kilograms of cocaine. Two individuals were taken into custody. In the same operational push, a fourth suspect was arrested, bringing the total number of detainees to four.
Raids across Málaga province
Following the arrests, police carried out searches in several municipalities in the province of Málaga. The raids uncovered a large arsenal: 36 long guns (described as assault rifles), 11 handguns, 11 hand grenades, seven silencers, eight bulletproof vests, two ballistic plates designed for war ammunition, and more than 5,000 cartridges of various calibres. Alongside the weapons, officers found 60 kilograms of hashish, 3,000 ecstasy tablets, and 650 grams of tusi, a synthetic drug also known as pink cocaine.
- Police intercept automatic weapons, grenades, and 180 war cartridges; driver arrested and remanded in custody.
- Udyco Costa del Sol intercepts a vehicle with 120 kg of cocaine, leading to two more arrests.
- Raids in several Málaga municipalities uncover 36 assault rifles, 11 handguns, 11 grenades, drugs, and over 5,000 cartridges; fourth suspect arrested.
Judicial secrecy and next steps
The case remains under judicial secrecy, directed by the Civil and Criminal Section of the Instance Court of Vélez-Málaga, Plaza number 4. The four arrested individuals are expected to face charges of arms trafficking and drug trafficking. The National Police stated that the operation has succeeded in dismantling a highly specialised criminal structure.
