Spanish national police detained a police officer and 37 other people

Spanish national police detained a police officer and 37 other people having ties to a drug trafficking and illegal immigration network, authorities said Wednesday. The involved police sub-inspector and his wife used to sell drugs and launder money in discotheques owned by themselves, according to the General Directorate of the Police and Civil Guard. Nineteen ground staff members at Barajas airport and a worker of one low-cost airline were arrested on suspicion of transporting suitcases and packages full of drugs from Venezuela and Colombia. Nine undocumented immigrants were also arrested. All those arrested except for the police officer are of Colombian origin, authorities said. Information indicating possible illegal activities involving the police officer reached the authorities at the end of October 2007. Investigations were carried out confirming the existence of an organized group dedicated to drug trafficking, money laundering, falsification and clandestine immigration through a marriage of convenience