Spanish authorities have intercepted a shipment of 13 tons of chemicals heading for Russia, which may have been intended for use in chemical weapons in Ukraine.
Could be Used in Illegal Warfare
The operation, carried out by the Spanish national police, tax authorities, and customs officers, took place at the port of Barcelona, as part of an investigation that began in 2022.
The bust occurred on October 8, resulting in the arrest of several individuals in the towns of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Cerdanyola del Vallès, and Santa Perpètua de Mogoda in Catalonia, according to L'Independent.
Among the chemicals seized, Spanish authorities reported the presence of "precursors for chemical weapons or nerve agents."
These toxic substances could have potentially been used in illegal warfare if they had reached their destination.
Rerouted to Bypass Sanctions
The investigation revealed that a network of Russian nationals based in Catalonia was responsible for orchestrating the shipments, despite European Union sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
This network used a complex triangulation system, involving front companies in countries like Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, to illegally transport the chemicals while concealing their final destination — Russia.
Although the Spanish company involved had a subsidiary in Moscow, the chemicals were rerouted to bypass sanctions and mislead authorities.
Despite the success of the recent operation, Spanish police acknowledged that multiple shipments had already made their way to Russia undetected since the start of the war in Ukraine. The bust underscores the ongoing challenge of stopping illegal shipments from circumventing sanctions.
This is not the first time the port of Barcelona has been linked to illicit shipments. According to El Nacional, just weeks ago, the Guardia Civil arrested three people attempting to send materials to Lebanon for building drones intended for Hezbollah. These drones were meant to carry out attacks on Israel, further highlighting the port’s role in international conflicts.
