The alleged leader of a major German mafia that trafficked huge quantities of cocaine and cannabis across Europe has been arrested in Marbella.

The suspect was considered a ‘High Value Target’ by Europol and headed an operation that generated more than €11million in profits, according to the Policia Nacional.

Eight other suspects have been arrested in Germany as part of the international operation.

Police seized a staggering four tonnes of cannabis, 27.5kg of cocaine, around 1.5kg of crack cocaine and 800 litres of amphetamine oil.

Investigators said the latter could have been used to manufacture as much as three tonnes of synthetic drugs.

The investigation began in April after Spanish police detected the presence in Marbella of what they described as an important German criminal organisation.

The group was allegedly involved in importing large quantities of cocaine originating in Bolivia into Europe while simultaneously trafficking marijuana from the Costa del Sol to other European countries, particularly Germany.

Investigators identified one of the organisation’s members living in Marbella and established that he was allegedly its leader.

German authorities had also linked the suspect to a previous shipment of 1.3 tonnes of marijuana from Spain.

‘This person was considered a High Value Target by Europol and had learned how to manage the organisation through his previous work for other criminal groups,’ the Policia Nacional said.

Cannabis profits funded cocaine shipments

Investigators believe the gang operated a sophisticated business model in which profits from trafficking large quantities of cannabis were used to finance maritime shipments of cocaine from South America to Europe.

The alleged boss is said to have travelled frequently to Brazil to organise the operations.

Police estimate that the organisation made more than €11million over the course of its activities.

The proceeds were allegedly laundered through property investments, particularly commercial premises which were then rented out to return the illicit profits to the legitimate economy.

The investigation culminated in June with a massive coordinated series of 35 raids across three countries.

Three properties were searched in Marbella, 31 in Germany and another in Austria.

Officers discovered a clandestine drug laboratory as well as five firearms, eight vehicles, 18 mobile devices, €126,000 in cash and commercial documentation.

The raids also uncovered the huge quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals allegedly controlled by the organisation.

All nine suspects arrested in the international operation have since been remanded in custody in connection with alleged drug trafficking and money laundering offences.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.