Photo: Port of Barcelona
Spanish police have seized 13 tons of banned chemicals, including possible chemical weapons precursors, after foiling an attempt to smuggle them to Russia in defiance of sanctions, Spanish law enforcement officials said on Tuesday.
Police said they had arrested four suspected members of a criminal group that reportedly tried to circumvent Western sanctions by illegally supplying chemical products to Russia through a front company run by Russian-born citizens, Reuters reports.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000"The investigation has shown that the chemicals under international sanctions, some of which may be precursors for chemical weapons or nerve agents, have been exported in the past using the structure of this company,” the Spanish police and tax authorities said in a joint statement.
The chemicals in question were found in a container at the port of Barcelona, and four suspects were arrested in nearby villages. They have been charged with smuggling prohibited goods.
According to police, the Spanish company created a complex logistical and financial network to export chemical products under international sanctions to Russia.
The company has a branch in Moscow and several shell companies in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. The purpose of these companies was to conceal the true destination of the goods, which were redirected to Russia.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga