THIS is the dramatic moment a violent gang raids a police van to free a Brit prisoner drug boss being taken to a dental clinic.
The daring Ibiza assault has been described as a heist straight out of a “movie episode” and has led to the arrest of five people.
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Operating in broad daylight, the armed mob were seen attacking a police van to free a British drug lord who was being escorted to a dental clinic to receive medical attention.
The gang wore bulletproof vests, used a motorcycle and a high-end vehicle with forged licence plates they later set on fire.
But while the assailants successfully freed the prisoner he was arrested hours later by the Spanish Civil Guard.
The October 2023 attack – dubbed “Van Ibiza” – has since been confirmed as a “highly planned” operation conducted by a very “sophisticated” network of gang members.
Their objective was the release of a Brit serving a sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering, the Civil Guard said.
A spokesperson for the force added: “As the investigation progressed, it was found that it was a highly planned operation with a very sophisticated network, whose objective was the release of a prisoner of British origin, who was serving a sentence in the prison of Ibiza, for crimes of drug trafficking and money laundering at an international level.”
“In addition, it was found that it was a criminal organisation of English origin, of great police interest to international organisations, which was sustained by drug trafficking and high-end vehicles stolen internationally.”
“The individuals who acted in the assault on the police van had a great specialisation in similar events.
“In fact, it was found that some of them had a record for homicide in third countries, as well as arms and drug trafficking.”
Following the assault – where assailants “intimidated the agents who were guarding a prisoner with firearms” – an urgent investigation into the group was launched.
Searches were carried out in homes and warehouses used by the gang.
Around 80,000 euros in cash and a stolen vehicle were seized, as well as large amount of drugs and documents containing details of the planned raid.
A year and a half later, cops successfully identified all those involved and confirmed they had record and arrest warrants in the UK.
The five gang members are being charged with crimes of evasion of conviction, aggravated attack against law enforcement officers, drug trafficking, membership of a criminal group, injuries and illegal possession of firearms.
A European Police Office spokesperson said: “The investigation began as a result of a violent assault that occurred in 2023, on a busy public road in Ibiza and in the morning.
“The assailants intimidated the agents who were guarding a prisoner with firearms.”
The spree of arrests comes as glamorous rapper dubbed the “Barbie Bandit” was arrested in a dramatic police raid targeting a massive dark web drugs operation.
Maria L., 25, known for posing in Barbie-pink outfits and flaunting an assault rifle on social media, was seized by Russian cops in St Petersburg on May 15.
The influencer-turned-trafficker is accused of helping run a slick online drugs shop — managing storage, distribution, and sales of illicit substances through the dark web.
Photos online show the rapper in crop tops and doll-like makeup, living a flashy life that masked a far more dangerous double identity.
Police said: “She helped sell the drugs online and also managed their storage and distribution.”
During the raid, cops uncovered laptops, mobile phones, and a “significant” stash of chemicals used to make hallucinogens — along with scales and other manufacturing gear.
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