Fourteen people linked to the Sinaloa cartel arrested for the kidnapping and murder of a man in Catalonia

The two police forces began an investigation at the end of June after learning, through INTERPOL Kosovo and EUROPOL Italy, of the complaints from the victim’s father and wife. In their complaint they explained that their relative had been kidnapped in Barcelona and that the perpetrators of the events requested a ransom of 240,000 euros. A Joint Investigation Team made up of agents from the National Police and the Mossos d’Esquadra took charge of the investigation to identify the kidnappers and locate the victim.

A criminal organization established in Maresme and Barcelona

As a result of the investigation, it was determined that the man had been kidnapped by members of the criminal organization between May 31 and June 2. Subsequently, the victim’s relatives in Kosovo received a communication from the kidnappers demanding the payment of 240,000 euros for his releaseproviding a photograph as proof of life.

Days later, the family contacted the agents to report that they had made a payment in cryptocurrencies under pressure and under the condition of once again receiving evidence that the victim was alive. Specifically, they made the payment of $32,000 in a virtual cryptocurrency wallet, following instructions from the organization to make it difficult to trace the money, but at no time did they receive any news about the victim and the kidnappers They continued to demand new payments.

Throughout the investigation, cybercrime specialists were able to identify several people linked to this transaction and directly related to the kidnapping. Likewise, the investigation team found several clues inside the vehicle in which the victim had traveled from Italy to Barcelona and which was in a municipal warehouse. Everything indicated that the kidnappers would have used this vehicle to transport his body from a house located in Sant Andreu de Llavaneres (Barcelona) to a remote, wooded area in the town of Botarell (Tarragona). The lifeless body of the victim It was found by investigators on August 5 in an advanced state of decomposition.

Links with the Mexican Sinaloa cartel

The kidnappers, linked to the Mexican Sinaloa cartel, are related to international drug trafficking crimes, money laundering crimes, kidnapping and murder. They received packages of Mexican origin with methamphetamine impregnated in pieces of clothing that were sent to Catalonia from Mexico and once in Spain they carried out the extraction process of the narcotic substance in a laboratory they had. Although they lived in Maresme and Barcelona, ​​the majority had strong international mobility to several European countries and Mexico.

Fourteen arrested, weapons, synthetic drugs and a methamphetamine extraction laboratory

The police efforts made it possible to locate those investigated in homes in Maresme and Barcelona, ​​where the judicial entries and searches were made that allowed surprise arrest of the participants in the events and the seizure of the seized effects, which meant the dismantling of this dangerous organization composed mainly of Mexican individuals.

The investigation culminated in a police operation deployed in Barcelona, ​​Sant Andreu de Llavaneres (Barcelona), Sant Cebrià de Vallalta (Barcelona) and Cabrils (Barcelona) with a balance of fourteen people detained, among whom is the mastermind of the kidnapping and leader of the organization. During the searches, in five homes and in a restaurant, a laboratory was located for the extraction of methamphetamine impregnated with solid surfaces such as pieces of clothing, as well as methamphetamine prepared for consumption, a large amount of ecstasy and a marijuana plantation. Firearms, technological material and money were also seized, as well as evidence directly related to the kidnapping and murder of a man The detainees, 11 men and 3 women, are between 30 and 70 years old.

The victim, 46 years old, allegedly worked for the organization and had traveled from Italy to Barcelona to meet with some of the leaders of the criminal network. The investigative court number 2 of Reus has maintained the secrecy of the proceedings throughout the investigation in order not to put at risk any of the efforts that were being carried out and that have allowed the dismantling of the criminal organization. With the lifting of the secret, the agents informed the victim’s relatives of his death and the location of his body.