AUGC warns of inadequate resources to combat drug trafficking in Spain

The Unified Association of Civil Guards (AUGC) has raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of law enforcement resources used to combat organized crime and human trafficking in Spain. In Cartagena, the association claims a newly assigned patrol boat is insufficient for intercepting high-speed narco-boats, describing it as a vessel capable of sustained speed but lacking the rapid acceleration necessary for maritime interceptions.

Furthermore, the AUGC reports a 15% decrease in drug-related arrests in Andalusia, contrasting with a 5.6% increase across Spain. The association links this trend to the dissolution of the Southern Anti-Narcotics Coordination Body (OCON-Sur). While noting that a direct causal link has not been proven, the AUGC highlights that while cocaine seizures in Andalusia have increased significantly since 2020, the number of arrests has simultaneously declined.