Spanish authorities arrested two Belgian tourists at Valencia Airport after discovering 20 kilograms of marijuana hidden in their luggage bound for Frankfurt, Germany. The Guardia Civil said the men attempted to smuggle the drugs in hand luggage disguised in plastic bags.
The arrest was carried out by agents of the Fiscal and Border Service, who noticed the passengers’ suspicious behavior during security checks. The incident is being investigated as a crime against public health, and the case has been handed to the Court of First Instance and Instruction No. 2 in Quart de Poblet.
Suspicious behavior led to search
According to the Guardia Civil, officers observed that the two men appeared agitated before boarding their flight. Security staff used X-ray scanners to inspect their carry-on bags and detected shapes consistent with narcotics. Officers then identified the owners of the luggage for further inspection.
The passengers initially denied knowledge of the contents of the suitcases. When the bags were opened in their presence, authorities found large plastic-wrapped packages containing cannabis. Narcotics testing confirmed the substance was marijuana, weighing a total of 20 kilograms.
Attempted trafficking across borders
The drugs were reportedly intended for transport to Frankfurt. Both suspects, Belgian nationals, were taken into custody and accused of drug trafficking. The Guardia Civil emphasized that the attempted smuggling posed a serious risk to public health.
The seizure highlights the ongoing vigilance of Spanish border authorities in monitoring international passenger traffic. Airports in Spain have seen frequent attempts by travelers to conceal narcotics in luggage, often destined for other European countries.
Legal proceedings underway
The case was formally transferred to the Court of First Instance and Instruction No. 2 of Quart de Poblet for further judicial action. The men remain under investigation on charges of attempting to transport narcotics across European borders.
Spanish law carries significant penalties for drug trafficking offenses, with sentencing varying according to the type and quantity of narcotics seized. Authorities said the investigation remains open to determine whether the suspects are linked to wider trafficking networks.
