Three Brits remanded in custody over 100 kilo cocaine haul in Almoradí

Three British citizens arrested last week following the seizure of a 100-kilogram cocaine shipment inside a warehouse in Almoradí have been remanded in custody. The decision was made last Friday, 24th July, after the suspects appeared before a judge in Orihuela, whilst two Spanish men arrested alongside them were released on bail. The seized illicit drugs were found concealed inside a consignment of cleaning supplies that was bound for the United Kingdom.

Sources from the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community confirmed that the magistrate of Instruction Court Number 1 of Orihuela ordered provisional detention without bail for three of the suspects. The remaining two detainees were granted conditional release, subject to precautionary measures including the surrender of their passports and a requirement to appear regularly before the court.

All five individuals are being formally investigated for alleged offences involving criminal organisation and crimes against public health of notable importance. Lawyers Francisco Miguel Galiana Botella and Jorge Martínez Navas are representing three of the accused.

The successful joint operation took place on the afternoon of 21st July at the Las Maromas Industrial Estate in Almoradí. The raid was conducted by officers from the Drugs and Organised Crime Unit of the Alicante Provincial Judicial Police, the Special Response Group against Organised Crime (Greco Levante), and Customs Surveillance from the Alicante Tax Agency.

Suspicions around the industrial estate

The intervention focused on a warehouse in Almoradí that had already been under surveillance by the National Police. Investigators had received information suggesting a major narcotics transaction destined for another country might occur at the location that afternoon, prompting them to establish a discreet stakeout around the perimeter.

During the observation, officers spotted a van parked directly in front of the premises. Two people repeatedly exited the warehouse to access and tamper with items inside the vehicle. The individuals consistently scanned the area to check if they were being watched. Taking advantage of a door left ajar, the officers decided to enter the building to inspect the premises and identify the occupants.

As officers moved in, one suspect attempted to enter the warehouse. Upon spotting the personnel wearing police and customs vests, the suspect fled back inside despite verbal warnings. Once inside, officers identified two British nationals who claimed they were merely waiting for a haulage lorry to arrive to collect two pallets of cleaning products bound for the United Kingdom.

A detailed search of the warehouse revealed two pallets packed with cardboard boxes containing items such as floor cleaners and fabric softeners. Upon opening closed boxes within the shipment, officers discovered 100 packages of cocaine, each weighing roughly one kilogram.

Additional arrests outside the warehouse

The two British men were arrested immediately. Whilst officers conducted their search, a lorry arrived at the industrial park. The driver informed the police that he had been instructed to collect three pallets with a declared weight of two tonnes, destined for Irún. He added that he had spoken by telephone with an English individual named on the transport documentation, and had come to the building because the two men inside were no longer answering his calls.

Officers instructed the lorry driver to wait outside whilst they maintained their surveillance in anticipation of further suspects arriving. Shortly afterwards, two cars entered the area, driving past several times to check for any police presence before coming to a stop.

Two Spanish men were inside one of the vehicles and remained outside the building, whilst the British national who had placed the call to the lorry driver got out of the second vehicle. When he attempted to walk into the warehouse, officers arrested him. The two Spanish suspects attempted to flee the scene but were quickly apprehended.

In addition to the 100 kilograms of cocaine, National Police and Customs Surveillance officers confiscated 6,185 euro, 290 pounds sterling, two vehicles, and two mobile phones from the detainees.