The Report
This footage was filmed and produced 2 March 2024. [Note: no sound] In a surprising turn of events, Spanish Civil Guard officers found nearly 1,200 kg of hashish concealed within the cooling system of a truck transporting fruit and vegetables on an international route.
The discovery took place during a routine checkpoint in the La Muela industrial park. The truck driver exhibited suspicious behavior upon noticing police presence, leading to an immediate detention. The driver, known for previous criminal activity related to public health offenses, was identified, and a search of the cargo was conducted, as reported by the law enforcement agency. The vehicle, carrying perishable goods destined for Italy, underwent inspection with a narcotics detection dog that indicated the presence of drugs near the end of the semi-trailer and truck cab. Due to the volume of pallets loaded with food products on the truck, it was moved to a nearby warehouse for unloading with a forklift to check for potential hidden compartments housing the drugs. After unloading the goods, the detection dog once again signaled at the same spot, which prompted officers to investigate a modified compartment meant for the cooling system. Upon opening it, it was revealed that the cooling components were replaced with a cavity holding numerous sealed plastic bags containing hashish tablets. Each packet was saturated in a liquid, likely an attempt to mask the scent detectable by drug detection dogs. Following the extraction and weighing of the seized substance, it totaled 1,156.5 kilograms, distributed across 224 hashish tablets. The driver was detained on charges of drug trafficking, and it was discovered that the individual was under a legal order restricting travel outside the national territory. Food Donation to Food Bank In light of the substantial quantity of perishable goods on the investigated vehicle, the Civil Guard coordinated efforts to donate the cargo to the Food Bank. A total of 13 tons of fruits and vegetables, including six pallets of oranges, one of potatoes, onions, lemons, and tomatoes respectively, were handed over for distribution. The operation involved officers from the Civil Guard’s Public Safety unit in Casetas, the Traffic Detachment in Calatayud, and the Canine Group with a drug detection dog.
