€3m drug bust

Jo Pugh

mitment to biodiversity and the active defence of the natural heritage of this municipality’.

This distinction recognises the work of individ ­ uals or institutions that have excelled in environmental conservation, research or environmental dissemination, and the jury unanimously decided to honour Monzo, who works in the municipal services of Pinoso Town Council.

The award winner confirmed: “This award belongs to everyone, as it is the result of many years and people who have believed in protecting our environment, enhancing its value and awakening sensitivity.”

The Tortuga Mora Conservation Award was established in 2010 in order to ‘reinforce the commitment to the natural and rural environment’.

It can be awarded to individuals or legal entities whose work, both professional and voluntary, has contributed to the preservation of flora, fauna or habitats, mainly aquatic, as well as cultural heritage and the improvement of the quality of life of residents.

Monzo is currently finalising his research project for the defence of his doctoral thesis in Biological Sciences at the IberoAmerican Centre for Biodiversity at the University of Alicante and is also working as an environmental technician for Pinoso Town Council.

OFFICERS of the National Police and the Guardia Civil have dismantled a Spanish­Albanian criminal organisation in a joint operation.

Based in the provinces of Murcia and Alicante, the gang was dedicated to internationally trafficking narcotic substances.

The investigation was carried out over several months by departments of the National Police and the Guardia Civil, who specialise in criminal acts related to the illicit trafficking of narcotic substances.

Further investigations revealed that gang members were located in the region of Murcia and in the town of Torrevieja. The organisation specialised in the purchase of large amounts of hashish and marihuana buds for subsequent postage. These were hidden and disguised inside cardboard boxes addressed to different areas of Germany.

Research revealed that several members were dedicating themselves to the acquisition of significant quantities of marihuana buds from growers, in order to later deliver it to the Albanian members of the gang, located in Alicante and neighbouring towns.

As a security measure by the organisation, a large amount of the drugs had already been transferred to Barcelona, where they were stored pending subsequent shipment in cardboard boxes. The senders and receivers of these shipments were always fictitious to try to disguise their identities.

Finally, National Police and the Guardia Civil, entered and searched 16 properties in Murcia, Torrevieja, Alicante and Barcelona, arresting a total of 26 people of Albanian and Spanish nationality. Thirteen of its main members have been held in prison.

In total, 500 kilogrammes of marihuana buds packaged and prepared for sale, other narcotic substances such as heroin and cocaine, nine vehicles used by the criminal organisation and more than €70,000 in cash was seized.