A string of alleged mafiosos have been arrested following the dismantling of an underground money-laundering network known as the ‘Dubai Bank’.
Malaga has emerged as a key location in the international operation targeting the so-called narco bank, which police claim was used by some of the world’s biggest cocaine traffickers.
Among those detained is Carlos Humberto A. C., alias ‘Burger King’, who investigators describe as the right-hand man of alleged wanted drug lord Alejandro Salgado Vega, known as ‘El Tigre’.
Also arrested were Jonas S. F., nicknamed the ‘Swedish Pablo Escobar’, and Perikles D. D., alias ‘Spartan’, according to El Español.
One of the alleged leading money brokers was arrested in Malaga as part of Operation Drahab, which has resulted in 21 arrests across several countries. Police did not reveal which suspect was detained in Malaga.
Fourteen people were cuffed in Spain, while other arrests linked to international warrants were carried out in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Police have identified some €20million in assets allegedly connected to the network.
Authorities have frozen 121 bank accounts containing €2.3million and blocked 48 properties worth more than €14million.
More than €39,000 in cash has also been seized, while luxury vehicles valued at more than €1.6million have been frozen by court order.
Investigators also discovered expensive watches, jewellery, designer handbags and numerous mobile phones.
Major broker arrested in Malaga
The Policia Nacional said two of the network’s most important intermediaries have been captured – one in Dubai and the other in Malaga.
Investigators believe the brokers played a crucial role in providing money to finance major drug shipments before laundering the profits.
The alleged ‘Dubai Bank’ was not a conventional bank but a sophisticated underground financial system capable of making large amounts of cash available to criminal organisations in different countries.
Once drugs were sold, the network could allegedly help move the proceeds back into the legitimate economy through a series of financial and property transactions.
Police say commissions charged by the network ranged from 1% to 15%, depending on the risk involved and the level of trust it had in the client.
‘El Tigre’ remains on the run
The investigation has also linked the financial network to four notorious alleged drug traffickers.
Three have been arrested, but Alejandro Salgado Vega, alias ‘El Tigre’, remains a fugitive and is described by police as their ‘number one target’.
Investigators allege he was involved in some of Europe’s biggest cocaine shipments in recent years, including the record 13 tonnes of cocaine discovered among a shipment of fruit in Algeciras, as well as another two-tonne consignment from Paraguay.
Among those arrested is Carlos Humberto, known by the aliases ‘Poker Face’ and ‘Burger King’, whom investigators identify as El Tigre’s link to a Colombian cartel.
Also detained was Jonas Sture Falk, nicknamed ‘Billy el Niño’ and described by investigators as the ‘Pablo Escobar of Sweden’.
A third prominent suspect is Perikles David, alias ‘Peris’ or ‘Spartan’, who has also been linked by investigators to the 13-tonne Algeciras shipment and cocaine transported aboard the Nehir.
19 international arrest warrants
The scale of the investigation stretches far beyond Spain.
In addition to the 21 arrests, authorities have issued 19 international arrest warrants, seven of which have so far been executed.
Police specialists from the Netherlands, Belgium, US and UK have participated alongside Europol as part of its Operational Task Force TOKEN.
Operation Drahab is being carried out by the Policia Nacional’s UDYCO, which specialises in drugs and organised crime, and the UDEF financial crime unit.
The investigation is being coordinated by the Special Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office of the Audiencia Nacional and the investigating court, with Europol and Interpol also involved.
Investigation began with sunken cocaine ship
The sprawling investigation can be traced back to 2021, when police intercepted the Nehir near the coast of Asturias.
Officers discovered 1,835kg of cocaine and arrested all nine crew members.
Investigators allege the captain later deliberately caused the vessel to sink in an attempt to conceal another consignment of approximately 1,600kg of cocaine.
Members of the criminal organisation later entered the sunken vessel and recovered the hidden drugs.
The cocaine had been loaded in South America, with plans allegedly in place to transfer it to fast boats near Spain before it was brought ashore.
The investigation into that operation eventually led detectives to the financial infrastructure suspected of funding international drug shipments.
Among the transactions uncovered was a transfer involving more than 1,000 Bitcoin allegedly connected to the underground banking network.
The operation remains ongoing and police have warned that further action and arrests are possible in Spain and abroad.
