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Barcelona (EFE).- The Mossos and the National Police have arrested in several locations in Barcelona 14 members of a group linked to the Mexican Sinaloa cartel accused, among other crimes, of the kidnapping and murder of a 46-year-old Italian man, alleged member of the band whose body was found in August in a forest in Botarell (Tarragona). The detainees, the majority of Mexican nationality, are eleven men and three women between 30 and 70 years old. Among them is the mastermind of the organization and the kidnapping of the victim. The police accuse them of international drug trafficking, money laundering. capital, kidnapping and murder.
In the searches carried out at five homes and a restaurant in several Catalan towns, the agents located a laboratory for the extraction of methamphetamine (popularly known as ‘speed’ or ‘crystal’) impregnated with solid surfaces, such as pieces of clothing. They found doses of this same substance already prepared for consumption, a large amount of ecstasy and a marijuana plantation, in addition to firearms, technological material and money.
Kidnapping and extortion
The Mossos and the National Police explain in separate statements that the investigation of the case, developed jointly by both forces, began at the end of June when, through Interpol in Kosovo and Europol in Italy, they learned of the complaint of a father and a woman about the kidnapping of their relative in Barcelona, for which they were asked to pay a ransom of 240,000 euros.
Later, on August 5, the agents located the body of a man, with signs of violence and in an advanced state of decomposition, in a wooded area of the municipality of Botarell (Tarragona). The investigation revealed that the 46-year-old man had been kidnapped by members of the organization now detained between May 31 and June 2.
The victim allegedly worked for the gang and had traveled from Italy to Barcelona to meet with some of the leaders of the criminal network.
A ransom of 32,000 in cryptocurrencies
Days later, the victim’s relatives in Kosovo received a message from the kidnappers demanding payment of 240,000 euros for his ransom, and in which they included a photo of the victim as proof of life.
The family contacted the police, informing them that they had made a payment in cryptocurrencies as a result of the pressure they received from the kidnappers, from whom they asked for new proof of life. The police detail that the payment amounted about $32,000 and which was made in a virtual cryptocurrency wallet, thus following the instructions of the organization, which wanted to make it difficult to trace the money with this procedure.
Despite the payment, the relatives never received news about the victim and the kidnappers continued to demand more payments.
The investigators managed, however, to identify the people linked to the transaction claimed by the criminals, who were directly related to the kidnapping.
In addition, they managed to locate the vehicle in which the victim traveled from Italy to the Catalan capital in a municipal warehouse in Barcelona, as well as evidence that the kidnappers used that car to transport the man’s body from a house located in Sant Andreu de Llavaneres. (Barcelona) to the forested area of Botarell.
The court decreed the secrecy of the proceedings. The kidnappers are linked to the Mexican Sinaloa cartel and are also accused of crimes of international drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping and murder.
This group, as it became known thanks to the investigation, received packages in Catalonia sent from Mexico with methamphetamine impregnated with pieces of clothing. The investigative court number 2 of Reus (Tarragona) has maintained the secrecy of the proceedings throughout the investigation so as not to jeopardize any of the efforts that were being carried out and allow the dismantling of the criminal organization. After the secret was lifted, the agents informed the victim’s relatives of his death and the location of the body.
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*What are the broader societal impacts of the Sinaloa Cartel‘s activities in Europe, particularly in terms of corruption, violence, and the erosion of public trust?
## Unmasking the Sinaloa Tentacles: A Discussion with Experts
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News, where we delve into pressing global issues. Today’s topic focuses on the recent dismantling of a Sinaloa Cartel cell operating in Spain. We are joined by two esteemed guests: Dr. Maria Alvarez, a criminologist specializing in transnational organized crime, and Mr. Javier Sanchez, a former police officer with extensive experience tackling drug trafficking networks. Welcome to both of you.
**Part 1: The Sinaloa Cartel’s Grip Extends to Europe**
*Dr. Alvarez,* the article reports the arrest of 14 individuals connected to the Sinaloa Cartel in Barcelona. How significant is this development in understanding the cartel’s global reach?
*Mr. Sanchez,* can you shed light on the Sinaloa Cartel’s modus operandi? How do they manage to establish operations in seemingly disparate regions like Europe?
*Dr. Alvarez,* what attracts criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel to European territories?
**Part 2: The Case: Kidnapping, Murder, and a Transnational Investigation**
*Mr. Sanchez,* the operation involved complex elements, including kidnapping for ransom, murder, and drug trafficking. Can you walk us through the investigative challenges posed by such a multifaceted case?
*Dr. Alvarez,* the kidnappers demanded ransom payment in cryptocurrency. What implications does this have for law enforcement’s ability to track and disrupt criminal financing?
*Mr. Sanchez,* the victim was allegedly involved with the criminal organization. How common is it for members to become targets within the cartel’s own network?
**Part 3: Dismantling the Network: Impact and Future Challenges**
*Dr. Alvarez,* the article mentions the seizure of a methamphetamine production lab. How integral is such lab
activity to the Sinaloa Cartel’s operation, and what does its presence suggest about the cartel’s local infrastructure?
*Mr. Sanchez,* in your experience, how effective are these large-scale arrests in
crippling the overall operations of a powerful cartel like Sinaloa?
*Dr. Alvarez,* looking forward, what measures can be taken to effectively combat the ongoing threat posed by transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel?
**Conclusion:**
Thank you, Dr. Alvarez and Mr. Sanchez, for providing your valuable insights into this complex case. The dismantling of this Sinaloa Cartel cell in Spain underscores the interconnected nature of global crime and the need for international collaboration in combating it. As we move forward, it is crucial to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the evolving tactics of these transnational criminal organizations.
