Three men have been arrested in Spain for allegedly shipping dried opium poppy capsules by mail to the United States. The Spanish Civil Guard announced the arrests occurred in January, with the suspects now in custody and charged with drug trafficking.
The investigation began last September after four postal shipments totaling nearly 15.4 pounds of plant material were intercepted at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport.
Analysis confirmed the substance was Papaver somniferum, commonly known as opium poppy, a plant used in the production of opium. Investigators noted identical surnames on the shipments and traced the origins to multiple addresses in the Murcia region.
The operation identified three men from the same clan, all born in India, leading to the seizure of approximately 1,161 pounds of opium poppy. Police believe the suspects were involved in stealing from legal plantations intended for pharmaceutical use.
Guardia Civil spokesman Álvaro Gallardo stated that while legal cultivation exists for medicinal purposes, illegal extraction and trafficking of opium pose significant dangers due to its narcotic properties.
The detainees have been ordered imprisoned by the investigating court of Elche.