Ketamine, cannabis and a substance resembling toxic mushrooms, some of it hidden inside shoe boxes, were seized at Madrid airport during a week-long operation against synthetic drug trafficking through the air, co-led by Frontex.
The operation, called Aerial Routes, delivered the following results:
1 536 grams of ketamine, a new psychoactive substance
11 kg of cannabis, in five bags
15 plastic boxes hidden inside shoe boxes, containing a plant-based substance resembling toxic mushrooms
The operation ran for a week at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Led by the Spanish Guardia Civil and Frontex as an operational action under the Synthetic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (SYD/NPS) priority of EMPACT, the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats, Operation Aerial Routes brought together seven Member States and European agencies.
The action days developed and enhanced joint capabilities in several areas of airport work, covering risk analysis and risk profiling at airports, the use of canine units, the inspection of parcels and postal consignments, the use of mobile scanners and the Automated Baggage Handling and Screening System, together with in-person checks on goods carried by passengers in the terminals.
As co-leader of the operation, Frontex provided technical and operational support. The Agency deployed four Standing Corps officers and one operational officer, who supported the Spanish authorities on the spot with the inspection of passengers and luggage and with checks on cargo and parcels, using specialised technical equipment.
The operation strengthened mutual trust between the participating authorities and established a solid basis for sustained cooperation in future work on synthetic drug trafficking. Frontex continues to support Member States in the EMPACT framework, including operational work against drug trafficking through the air domain across the EU's air borders.
Participating countries: Austria, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
Partners: Europol.
