The trial against one of the most famous organized crime leaders in Latvia continues 0 25

As previously reported by the prosecutor's office, without naming names, the prosecutor submitted a criminal case to the court, in which a citizen of Latvia, while in Spain, secretly led an international organized crime group engaged in the illegal cultivation of narcotic plants on a large scale and the distribution of these narcotic substances in the Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

The organized crime group, formed by four individuals, cultivated marijuana in a facility in Spain from early 2020 until the fall of 2024, after which they organized its transportation to Latvia and Norway for further sale. The criminal group also included citizens of Russia and Moldova, against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated in other countries.

For selfish motives, the group members agreed on their responsibilities and divided roles with criminal intent – to acquire, store, transport, and sell narcotic substances in large volumes.

One of the men coordinated the group's activities, kept track of profits, and distributed the funds obtained through criminal means among the members of the criminal group.

The others, according to the division of roles, were responsible for the illegal cultivation and control of marijuana in Spain, its acquisition, storage, and transportation for further sale, the prosecutor's office explained.

One of the individuals involved in the case was also responsible for accounting for the marijuana delivered from Spain and receiving funds from its sale from unidentified persons engaged in the illegal sale of drugs in Latvia and Norway. This individual also coordinated the further distribution of income among the members of the criminal group and reported to its leader, the prosecutor's office stated.

The organized crime group was also involved in the legalization of cash to conceal and disguise the true origin, location, and placement of financial resources, knowing that these funds were obtained through criminal means.

The leader of the criminal group, involving his relatives, attempted to legalize at least 70,000 euros. His mother, father, and wife regularly deposited cash into their bank accounts in Latvia, thus laundering large sums obtained through criminal means, the prosecutor's office reported.

Meanwhile, another group member transferred at least 19,695 euros of criminal funds to her accounts, while a close associate transferred at least 10,050 euros.

Both of these individuals jointly attempted to legalize at least 31,788 euros by converting them into another form – purchasing real estate in Riga and regularly making bank transfers to repay the loan for it. Funds, real estate, and other material assets belonging to the individuals involved in the case have been seized, the prosecutor's office indicated.

In addition, the group leader acquired and stored firearms and ammunition at his residence in Latvia without the appropriate permit.

In total, within the framework of the criminal process, charges have been brought against nine individuals, four of whom have been remanded in custody as a preventive measure.

Thanks to successful international cooperation with Spain in terms of obtaining evidence and apprehending suspects, three defendants were arrested in Spain and extradited to Latvia.

In connection with this organized criminal group, the Department for Combating Serious and Organized Crime of the Criminal Police Department continues the pre-trial investigation in another designated case, for which information from abroad about the activities of the criminal group is expected.

As previously reported, on September 10, 2024, the State Police, with broad international support and operational information exchange involving Europol and Eurojust, detained Spiridonov and several members of his organized group.

With the assistance of the National Police of Spain, searches were also conducted in Lloret de Mar and Valencia.

As part of the criminal case, a decision was made to seize assets: 10 real estate properties worth approximately 500,000 euros, movable property worth 33,000 euros, and cash amounting to about 100,000 euros.

According to data previously provided by the police, Spiridonov was known for his luxurious lifestyle and frequent trips abroad, despite the absence of legal sources of income.

To avoid arrest, he traveled daily in a specially equipped vehicle accompanied by three armed bodyguards, demonstrating access to high security measures, law enforcement officials noted.

During the searches, more than 110,000 euros in cash, two firearms, 95 rounds of ammunition, four airsoft hand grenades, two bulletproof vests, 13 kilograms of marijuana, fake identification documents, four vehicles, cryptocurrency wallets, and luxury watches were seized.

The program Nekā personīga (TV3) previously reported that Spiridonov was referred to as "Ded" in criminal circles, emphasizing his authority and experience. It is also known that he had previously come to the attention of the Latvian police as a participant in a car theft gang led by the criminal authority Zurab Shamugia, known as Ada.

Meanwhile, Spanish media reported that one of the detainees, nicknamed "Shayba" due to his hockey past, was responsible for coordinating drug production and organizing a network of contacts with local suppliers. Another individual, nicknamed "Virus," was taken into custody for overseeing counter-surveillance measures in warehouses and vehicles, as well as GPS tracking of drug shipments.

Spanish media also report that the center of activity of the criminal organization led by Spiridonov was located in Girona, from where large shipments of drugs were transported for many years, making it one of the main suppliers for both the Baltic countries and Scandinavia. This was confirmed by Latvian law enforcement officials.