Spain police break up two crystal meth rings

Spanish police today confirmed they have broken up two drug trafficking rings specialising in the distribution of crystal meth.

Police arrested 42 people in total, 20 Filipinos, 19 Spaniards and three Africans – one each from Mali, Senegal and Togo.

Authorities seized eight kilos of crystal meth, a highly addictive drug, and 15,000 euros in cash in raids across Madrid, Barcelona and Murcia.

One of the two gangs reportedly used a car import-export business as a front company.

Police said in a statement: “Thanks to this front company the detainees avoided raising suspicions with their frequent trips between Spain, Italy and Africa and above all they tried to give the appearance that their activities and the money raised were legal.”

Police said that crystal meth – also known as “ice” – is fairly common in countries like North America and Asia, but has only started to appear in Spain over the last year.

Police made the initial arrests in December, focusing on those who distributed the drug around Spain.

The recent arrests have targeted those individuals suspected of smuggling the drug into the country.