Police in Spain recently made major headway into the unlawful export of a €2 million anti-drone system bound for Libya, arresting five suspects allegedly involved in the smuggling operation.
On Thursday, January 18, authorities in Madrid and Valencia apprehended four directors of a Madrid-based defence technology firm, along with a Libyan national said to be linked to an armed Tripoli group.
An extensive cross-border probe that began in 2020 unveiled an intricate network shipping drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to factions in war-torn Libya in violation of international law and the UN arms embargo.
In synchronized raids, police seized valuable digital evidence. Two of the detained smugglers were remanded into custody by an investigative judge.
Law enforcement cooperation helped expose the elaborate channels for illegal weapons proliferation into Libya, representing meaningful gains against underground arms trade and trafficking globally.
Officials called the continuing crackdown and legal actions a turning point in hindering flows of illicit arms and surveillance equipment stoking conflict.