A major international drug trafficking network, primarily operating from Spain, has been taken down following a coordinated operation involving law enforcement agencies from Lithuania, Spain, and Iceland. This operation led to the arrest of 24 individuals who were part of the ring that facilitated the transport of significant quantities of illegal drugs, including over 39 kilograms of cocaine and thousands of MDMA tablets, using vulnerable individuals as drug mules. The criminal activities spanned across South America, with the drugs being shipped to Spain before being distributed to their final destinations.

According to reports from Eurojust and Europol, the criminal organization managed to generate substantial profits, estimated to be over 4 million euros, from their operations. The authorities successfully intercepted various shipments that included not just cocaine, but also MDMA, ketamine, and methamphetamine. This crackdown on drug trafficking is part of a broader effort by European law enforcement to address the increasing levels of organized crime that exploit vulnerable communities for drug transportation.

The dismantling of this network highlights the challenges and complexities involved in combating transnational drug trafficking. With drugs traveling from South America to Europe, these operations require intricate coordination among various countries and agencies. The successful outcome of this operation underscores the importance of international collaboration in tackling drug-related crime and ensuring that individuals who are coerced into becoming drug mules are also given the necessary support and protection against exploitation.