In Catalonia, Europe, 14 people linked to the Sinaloa cartel have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of a man, whose body was found in a wooded area of Tarragona. The group faces charges of kidnapping, murder, international drug trafficking, and money laundering. They are accused of having kidnapped and murdered a 46-year-old Italian man, a suspected member of the criminal network.
The kidnappers maintained contact with the victim's family, sending proof of life and demanding a ransom. Despite having paid, the captors did not release the man and continued to request more money. The collaboration between the Spanish, Catalan police, and international agencies such as Interpol and Europol contributed to tracking down those responsible.
According to the investigation, the victim was kidnapped in Barcelona, where he had arrived from Italy to meet with the organization's leaders. He was held between May 31 and June 2, while the kidnappers demanded 240,000 euros in ransom. During searches of five homes and a restaurant in Catalonia, drugs, a methamphetamine lab, a marijuana plantation, firearms, and cash were found.
Eleven men and three women were arrested, all aged between 30 and 70, including the alleged leader of the organization. Additionally, those involved in the transport of the body were identified, and the vehicle used to transport the corpse was located. Authorities believe that these arrests have dealt a heavy blow to the criminal network, highlighting the use of advanced technology and coordination among police forces.
The victim's body was found in August in a forest in Tarragona, showing signs of violence and in an advanced state of decomposition. The investigation continues to clarify more details about the group's operations in Europe.
