Spain’s National Police said on Wednesday that they had dismantled seven criminal networks operating along the Costa del Sol, arresting 55 ‘highly violent’ suspects and confiscating nearly nine tonnes of drugs.
According to a statement from the police, the operations — conducted over the past month — were part of a broader campaign to curb organised crime in the southern Mediterranean resort region, known for its sizeable foreign communities.
Among those arrested were 10 French citizens accused of taking part in the kidnapping of a Moroccan man in Marbella last year. Two additional members of the same network were detained for their alleged involvement in the attempted murder of two Swedish nationals in December.
Police said the intended victims managed to escape by leaping from a 30-metre embankment after armed men stopped their ride-hailing car.
Another French organisation targeted in the raids was allegedly behind a series of violent robberies against rival traffickers. Investigators said the gang used a small utility vehicle with a concealed compartment to move weapons without arousing suspicion.
The 55 detainees were described by police as ‘highly violent and highly specialised’.
In total, officers seized 8,984 kg of hashish and cocaine, 37 firearms, and more than €150,000 in cash.
Authorities have repeatedly voiced concern over the growing footprint of foreign criminal groups on the Costa del Sol, where many are able to blend in among expatriate residents and tourists.
Spain serves as one of Europe’s main entry points for North African hashish and South American cocaine, making the region an attractive hub for international organised crime.
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🚩Golpe al crimen organizado en la #CostaDelSol
🔹En el último mes➡️7 organizaciones criminales desarticuladas y 55 detenidos
🔹Esclarecido un secuestro en #Marbella y 2 tiroteos en #Málaga y #Benalmádena
🔹Incautadas 37 armas de fuego, munición y 9 toneladas de estupefaciente pic.twitter.com/HskOkFmctG
— Policía Nacional (@policia) November 5, 2025
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