ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the Guardia Civil’s Carteia Plan, a groundbreaking law enforcement approach to the war against drugs. Developed in Spain to confront the serious threat drug trafficking poses in the southern region of the country, in this plan intelligence, investigative, social impact and maneuver functions converge to yield exceptional results in this fight. Through a combination of participant observation, survey and semi-structured interviews with experts and agents; the strategic, operational and social dimensions of the plan were assessed, aiming to delve deeper into its architecture and specificities. That focus on the agents is the strongest contribution to this evaluation, aiming not only to extract explicit knowledge but also to delve into the practical understanding that comes from their extensive practical experience over the years. In addition to the identification of opportunities of improvement within the plan, the findings reveal how its general structure can be tailored to diverse scenarios in the serious and organized crime spectrum. Thus, this chapter is a vital contribution and its practical impact is evident, having a direct influence on the formulation of present and future security strategies targeting organized crime.
