The operation, codenamed 'Itálica 153 Legs/Avant', led to the seizure of 500 kilograms of hashish in Jerez de la Frontera, as part of a broader investigation into a criminal organization. This network primarily operated from Seville, with branches extending into three other Andalusian provinces: Málaga, Huelva, and Cádiz.

According to a press release from the National Police, the investigation concluded with the arrest of 17 individuals and the total seizure of 3,370 kilograms of hashish and 288 kilograms of cocaine. Additionally, six military-grade weapons were confiscated, including four “Skorpion” submachine guns with silencers and two “AK-47” assault rifles, all with ammunition.

The criminal network, active between October 2025 and January 2026, managed to move approximately 9,400 kilograms of hashish in 285 bales. The investigation, initially conducted independently by both police forces, merged due to effective coordination, allowing for the identification of all group members and their specific roles within the organization.

The criminal structure utilized “nurseries” and “mailboxes” in the aforementioned provinces to hide and distribute the drugs. Their modus operandi included using decoy vehicles to detect police presence and ensure the safe transport of the drugs. The high mobility of those involved prompted investigators to accelerate an initial phase of the operation, intercepting targets in Almería, Murcia, and Seville during one of the “drug runs”.

Among the most notable seizures were 500 kilograms of hashish in Jerez de la Frontera and another 720 kilograms of the same substance in the province of Burgos. Following the conclusion of these actions, the criminal organization has been completely dismantled. Of the 17 detainees, twelve have been remanded in provisional prison by order of the competent Judicial Authority.