The network, which had been operating for months, used an import company owned by the main suspect to camouflage shipments. A transporter and a third individual, who had rented a premises in Madrid, completed the logistical structure of the organization.

The Madrid premises served as a warehouse for storing and safeguarding the illicit merchandise. Investigations into the main accused were crucial in initiating the joint operation that ultimately led to the dismantling of the entire criminal structure.

In early February 2026, authorities in Ecuador identified a company shipment labeled as "chocolate tears." Inside this package, which exceeded 400 kilograms in total weight, a significant amount of base paste cocaine was discovered, cleverly disguised within chocolates.

The swift coordination between police units in Spain and Ecuador, along with the Prosecutor's Office in both countries, allowed for controlled monitoring of the shipment to its final destination in Madrid. The three detainees face charges for involvement in a criminal organization and drug trafficking.

This operation highlights the intensification of controls at the Madrid airport and the importance of international collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking. Authorities continue to investigate possible links between this network and other criminal organizations engaged in similar activities.