This is the moment a heavily-armed British cocaine gang was dismantled on the Costa del Sol.
The criminal organisation allegedly used a home in Estepona as the base for trafficking the Class A drug from Spain to the UK.
At least one British suspect has been jailed while international arrest warrants have been issued for five alleged members who fled back to Britain.
More than a tonne of cocaine was seized during Operation Miscelanea, alongside a rifle, submachine gun, semi-automatic handgun, ammunition, cash and several high-powered vehicles.
The British suspect arrested in Granada has been remanded in custody without bail.
The Guardia Civil said the gang received substantial cocaine shipments at the Estepona property before moving the drugs to ports elsewhere in Spain.
Powerful cars and large vans were allegedly used in rapid ‘go-fast’ journeys between storage locations and ports. The cocaine was then shipped by sea to Great Britain.
Van found with 423kg of cocaine
The investigation began when officers intercepted a van in Talavera La Real, in the province of Badajoz.
Inside were 17 sports bags containing a combined 423kg of cocaine.
The driver managed to escape, but investigators established that the vehicle had begun its journey in Estepona.
Surveillance was later increased around properties and suspected members of the organisation on the Costa del Sol.
Days later, officers following another suspicious vehicle arrived at an industrial estate in Baza, Granada.
They stopped a van and allegedly discovered 326kg of cocaine concealed inside several suitcases, while its British driver was arrested.
The combined cocaine haul from the two vans had already reached 749kg.
Weapons uncovered at Estepona property
Following the second interception, Guardia Civil officers searched a property in Estepona linked to the alleged trafficking network.
A further 265kg of cocaine was recovered, taking the total seized during the operation to 1,014kg.
Investigators also found equipment used to seal and package the drugs, along with cash and a large quantity of ammunition.
The weapons seized included a rifle, a submachine gun and a semi-automatic handgun. The Interior Ministry described two of them as military-grade weapons.
The detained man was brought before the head of Estepona’s Court of First Instance and Preliminary Investigation Number One, who ordered that he be held in custody without bail.
The suspect has not been publicly named.
The investigation remains open as authorities attempt to locate and arrest the five other fugitives.
