Portugal has arrested a Colombian transporting 340 kilos of cocaine, local media reported Friday.
Macias Nieto, allegedly part of an international drug trafficking network with operations in Spain, had been targeted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Interpol in a joint effort called “Operation Red.”
Portugal police arrested Nieto near Lisbon, Portugal earlier this week while he was transporting cocaine in two vehicles. Three Spaniards and another Colombian were also captured. Police used physical force during the arrest when two of the members attempted to flee.
The group had been staying in Lisbon hotels for nearly a month before international police alerted Portugal police to their presence. They are thought to be responsible for trafficking drugs from Latin America to Spain and possibly Portugal.
Investigations continue to determine the extent of the group’s international drug trafficking connections.