Spanish police have arrested 28 suspected members of the Russian mafia operating an extensive money laundering network along the Spanish coast, the Interior Ministry said on Monday. Police in Germany, France, Belgium, the United States, Russia and Israel had helped in what the ministry said was the biggest crackdown against international organised crime in Europe.
Police seized guns, luxury cars, jewels and works of art in the swoop, as well as impounding several properties on the Mediterranean coast and freezing 800 bank accounts in the operation, codenamed "Wasp", the ministry said.
Of those arrested, 22 were suspected of being mafia chiefs who set up fraudulent commercial and financial networks and bought property. The aim was to launder cash from illicit activities in their home countries, mainly former Soviet states.
"Because of the results, the extent of the operation, the quality and importance of the people arrested and its international repercussions, the operation can be considered the biggest blow to date against international organised crime in the whole of Europe," the ministry said.
Weapons seized included three shotguns with ammunition, knuckle dusters, knives and a sabre.
Cash seized during the swoops included more than 230,000 euros; more than 115,000 euros in cheques and I-owe-you notes; and more than $30,000 in cash and cheques.
Among the cars seized were Bentleys, Mercedes, Porsches and Jaguars.