As part of a wider anti-drugs operation by the Guardia Civil in the neighbouring Campo de Gibraltar yesterday, the RG Police received information regarding suspected money laundering activities in Gibraltar.

As a result, the RGP’s Crime Division detectives supported by armed officers yesterday executed search warrants and arrested three Spaniards and a Gibraltarian in flats at Ocean Village for suspected money laundering offences connected to drug trafficking activities.

The local operation was carried out in support of, and simultaneous with, the broader Guardia Civil anti-drugs sweep in various locations in La Linea and the Campo de Gibraltar.

The Guardia Civil conducted searches in over 40 addresses, carrying out numerous arrests and seizing drugs and substantial amounts of cash and other valuables.

On the basis of the information received, the RGP has instigated its own investigation which is currently ongoing.

RGP Commissioner Ian McGrail welcomed the outcome of the operation and stated that information sharing between law enforcement agencies is vital to combat organized crime groups.

Mr McGrail said: “Organized crime knows no boundaries or frontiers so we must make sure we have effective information exchanging systems in place to collaborate against the scourge of drug trafficking and related criminality – we will not allow Gibraltar to be used as a [perceived] safe haven for these criminals – we will persevere in our efforts and continue to work with our counterparts abroad.”

All the suspects have been released on bail pending further police inquiries.

One of the arrested men is also subject to an European Arrest Warrant issued by a Spanish tribunal, which means that there is now a period of 48 hours for the Spanish authorities to provide the necessary documentation for the warrant to be processed by a Gibraltar court.