SEVEN men who allegedly disguised as police officers in order to burgle houses have been arrested in Madrid, Getafe, Pozuelo de Alarcón and Marbella.

National Police, who were working in conjunction with officers from Colombia, said the gang was made up of organised professionals with a strong international network.

When they caught the suspected ringleader, officers reveal he was seen to be tearing up 50-euro notes and flushing them down toilet, which had become blocked as a result.

They targeted drug-dealers’ homes, stealing money and illegal substances, say police.

During a raid on a property in Valdemoro (Madrid), they found a cocaine laboratory and two kilos of the drug, together with various firearms, fake police badges and uniforms, bullet-proof vests, balaclavas and around 185,000 euros in cash.

They have been investigating the matter since the end of April when a known drug-dealer was approached by the false police officers upon entering his house.

The burglars claimed they were carrying out a raid.

They are also said to have carried out burglaries in Bilbao, Málaga and Mijas.

Police say the money was laundered via a ‘front’ company purporting to be a security guard agency.

This agency was involved in forging vehicle documentation and ID cards, police heard.