More than a dozen luxury and high-performance vehicles have been seized in a major National Police operation targeting an alleged organised crime network involved in large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering in South Tenerife.
The investigation was led by officers from the Central Narcotics Brigade, who travelled from Madrid to carry out arrests, freeze bank accounts and seize properties linked to the suspects. Several people are believed to have been detained as part of the operation.
One of the police actions took place yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) in Playa San Juan, in the municipality of Guía de Isora. Residents in Calle Isla Bonita reported seeing police vans and officers carrying out searches in the area.
According to reports, one of the men arrested is an Algerian national who has reportedly lived in the south of Tenerife for more than 30 years. Investigators believe he used almost 20 different identities in an attempt to avoid detection by police.
Sources close to the investigation said the suspect had previously been looked into over possible links to organised groups involved in thefts from holidaymakers in popular tourist areas across the island.
The operation, led by the Central Drugs and Organised Crime Unit, remains under judicial secrecy while officers continue their enquiries and attempt to dismantle the alleged network.
Among the most eye-catching vehicles seized was an orange Lamborghini Urus, a luxury SUV worth around €265,000. Police also confiscated a Brabus 600, a heavily modified high-performance Mercedes model that can sell for well over €100,000.
Other vehicles taken during the raid included a Range Rover Velar, BMW M850i convertible, BMW X6, Nissan 350Z convertible, BMW 5 Series and several other high-end Mercedes and BMW models. Some of the cars had reportedly been purchased and registered abroad, including in Lithuania and Poland, before being brought to Tenerife.
Police also seized two motorcycles allegedly used by members of the organisation to move around the island.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts by Spanish authorities to tackle organised crime activity in the Canary Islands, particularly in tourist areas where criminal groups are believed to operate alongside legitimate businesses.
