The group is allegedly led by an Italian person who, having moved to Barcelona, worked with a group of trusted accomplices to manage the production of marijuana in Spain and its distribution, either to third parties or for direct sale, in Italy. The group also included people working in the production plant, transporters and money collectors.

To enable the transport of the marijuana and hashish to Italy, the drugs were concealed using different methods. Initially, the drugs were hidden in pallets of fruit and vegetables loaded on trucks. Afterwards, they were concealed in large sacks of animal feed, using a hot-seal system to hinder detection during police checks. At later stages, the group used sea routes to move their drugs around. 

A joint investigation team comprising Italian and Spanish authorities, set up at Eurojust, was key to dismantling the criminal group. By sharing evidence, authorities uncovered the international structure used to runs the drug trafficking operation. During the investigation, several actions were taken by authorities to arrest members of the group and disrupt drug transport. Authorities were able to arrest 13 people (10 in Italy and 3 in Spain) for the possession and trafficking of narcotics, with more than 900 kilograms of hashish and marijuana and several weapons seized during the operations. 

Europol supported the investigation by facilitating information exchange and providing analytical support. On the action day, a Europol expert was deployed on the spot with a mobile office.

The final blow to the criminal group was dealt on 10 February, when an action day was coordinated from Eurojust. During this action day, the leader of the criminal group, who had fled to Italy after a recent arrest for the possession of marijuana, was arrested, along with five other members of the group. In Spain, six members were arrested. During searches in both countries, authorities discovered and seized 1 670 cannabis plants and material for three indoor cannabis cultivation facilities. Additionally, properties, financial assets and cash worth approximately EUR 1 million were seized, including a luxury villa in Barcelona and five vehicles. 

Six suspects are under house arrest in Italy and two suspects are in pretrial detention in Spain.

The actions were carried out by the following authorities:

• Italy: Catania Public Prosecutor's Office - District Anti-Mafia Directorate ;Guardia di Finanza – Organised Crime Investigation Unit in Economic and Financial Department in Catania; SCICO Guardia di Finanza - Central Organised Crime Investigation Service
• Spain: Investigative Judge num.7 of San Feliu de Llobregat; Public Prosecutor’s Office Barcelona; Spanish National Police of Barcelona, Drug Unit and Organised Crime (UDYCO) and special Unit for Economic crimes  (UDEF)