A DRUG said to be 80 times stronger than traditional cannabis has been found smuggled into Alicante-Elche airport and two local residents arrested.
Border police seized 12.2 kilos of a synthetic type of hash hidden in packages from Hong Kong, with a street value of around €3.5 million.
Two British men aged 36 and 37, who live in El Campello – just north of Alicante – were taken into custody.
The substance had been shipped by air mail, hidden in bags of sweets and packets of coffee from the far-eastern colony, and was addressed to a bar in El Campello heavily frequented by the local British community.
Unlike traditional cannabis, which is dark brown in colour, police say the high-strength version was pale and lightweight.
It is designed to dissolve in water, and administered by spraying it onto an ordinary cigarette so it soaks through the paper and tobacco and is inhaled through smoking.
The exceptional strength of its effects mean it is extremely dangerous, and as it is a new substance of which very little is known, is even more so, say the Guardia Civil who tested the drug.
One of the recipients, a Brit aged 36, was arrested as he went to collect the parcels, which turned out to be his regular role in the gang involved in importing the drug from Hong Kong.
The other recipient, a UK national aged 37, attempted to flee authorities by leaving the country, but was caught at Alicante-Elche airport.
Both have been remanded in custody as they are considered a flight risk.
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