Spanish police working with Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency have arrested nine suspects in an investigation targeting criminals who allegedly smuggled drugs hidden inside industrial electrical transformers.

The Interior Ministry said to that the gang acquired hashish in Spain and transported it to Britain.

Seven suspects were arrested in Elche and two alleged ringleaders were held in Britain.

Three houses in the Spanish cities of Orihuela and Elche were searched. A sawn-off shotgun with some ammunition cartridges were seized, among other items.

The ministry says the investigation began in January when police were alerted to the existence of a criminal organisation on Spain's east coast.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.