Spanish drug network smashed

MADRID, Spain -- An international drug-smuggling ring accused of trying to smuggle hashish into Spain has been smashed, customs officers say.

The gang is believed to have provided transport to more than 30 other drug trafficking organisations, in Italy, Spain and Morocco.

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The authorities said that nine Spanish nationals had been arrested at the end of a nine-month investigation.

Customs officers seized five tonnes of hashish, 68 speed boats, 22 land vehicles and several jet skis during the operation which focused on the Malaga and Cadiz areas.

On Thursday, police seized heroin worth almost $40 million and arrested seven people in two separate operations, local media reported.

In the northwestern region of Galicia, police made one arrest after discovering 100 kilograms (220 lbs) of heroin in the false roof of a truck with Macedonian number plates. The haul was reported to be worth $30.95 million.

And police in the city of Valladolid arrested six people, including a 35-year-old Turkish man, and found 21 kilograms (46 lbs) of high-grade heroin with an estimated street value of $6.7 million.