Andalusian leaders criticize dismantling of OCON-Sur anti-narcotics unit

Andalusian President Juanma Moreno and retired Brigadier General Manuel Contreras have criticized the decision to dismantle OCON-Sur, a specialized Guardia Civil anti-narcotics unit in the Campo de Gibraltar region.

Contreras, the former commander of the IV Zone of the Guardia Civil, described the deactivation of the unit—which was established in 2018—as ‘a step backward’ in the fight against drug trafficking. He noted that the unit had previously succeeded in challenging numerous criminal organizations and expressed confusion regarding the decision to dissolve the coordination body.

Echoing these concerns, Moreno stated that dismantling the unit was ‘a great error’ and argued that Andalusians are paying the price through the expansion of drug trafficking in the territory. The President has previously sent a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressing concern that Andalusia has become an ‘operations base’ for various drug clans, calling for the central government to reinstate the elite unit and reinforce resources to prevent the issue from becoming chronic.