Europe dismantles 'Hezbollah drone supply network' spanning four countries

A sophisticated Hezbollah logistics network operating across Europe was dismantled between summer 2024 and early April 2025, according to a report by French daily Le Figaro on Friday.

The group, involving individuals of Lebanese origin, is accused of sourcing and shipping components for the construction of military drones, with the final destination believed to be Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

The investigation began in Catalonia, where Spain's Guardia Civil detected unusual purchases of drone-related materials in mid-2024. The suspects, reportedly Lebanese nationals, operated through Spanish companies they controlled.

According to investigators cited by Le Figaro, these purchases included materials and components capable of producing hundreds - possibly up to a thousand - drones, raising alarm over their potential use in hostile operations.

Among the materials seized were electronic guidance systems, propulsion propellers, dozens of gasoline engines, over 200 electric motors, and several tonnes of resin and composite substances used to manufacture drone fuselages, wings, and other parts.

The intended use of these items was to build drones capable of carrying several kilograms of explosives. Investigators suspect that similar components may have already been used in drones launched by Hezbollah against Israeli targets.

The materials were not only sourced from Spain, but also from other European countries and beyond, suggesting a vast and well-organised procurement operation.

Arrests in Spain and Germany

Spanish authorities uncovered further links to Germany, where one of the alleged traffickers had established a base of operations. Spanish police contacted Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), leading to coordinated arrests on 14 July 2024.

That day, three Lebanese nationals were arrested in Spain — two in Barcelona and one in the nearby town of Badalona. The suspects were living discreetly in the centre of Barcelona, near the famous Sagrada Familia basilica. According to Le Figaro, two of them were released under judicial supervision, with passport confiscations and travel bans, while the third suspect was placed in pre-trial detention.

The Spanish judge's ruling identified the detained man, Firas A.H., 38, as part of a group of Lebanese nationals based in Spain and Germany, all allegedly linked to Hezbollah. He is suspected of purchasing materials "that could be converted into weapons of war capable of targeting civilian and military sites in Israel and Europe". The judge confirmed that although the group had no active plans to carry out attacks in Europe, the "final destination" for the materials was Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Spanish authorities believe the group was on the verge of shipping a significant quantity of these drone components by sea to Lebanon, which they say posed a "serious threat" to regional security.

In parallel, German authorities arrested another Lebanese national, Fadel Z., in the town of Salzgitter, Lower Saxony. According to Germany's federal prosecutor, Z. had joined Hezbollah no later than the summer of 2016. Since early 2024, he had allegedly purchased components for military drones - particularly engines - which were intended for export to Lebanon and use in terrorist attacks against Israel.

The investigation continued into 2025. On 1 April, the Spanish Guardia Civil carried out another raid in the same Barcelona apartment searched in July 2024, arresting three additional suspects. Two were placed under judicial supervision, while a third was jailed on charges including membership in a criminal organisation, financing criminal activity, and trafficking fake documents.

The investigation soon widened beyond Spain and Germany. In France, the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) arrested a suspect in April 2025. The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office confirmed that a judicial investigation was launched on 4 April. The individual was indicted and placed in custody on charges of belonging to a terrorist group and preparing acts of terrorism involving crimes against persons.

Meanwhile, UK authorities made their own arrests.

On 3 April 2025, British counter-terrorism police detained two men in northern London, Le Figaro reported. A 39-year-old was arrested on suspicion of membership in a banned organisation — Hezbollah has been designated a terrorist group in the UK since 2019 — as well as for preparing "terrorist acts" and "financing terrorism". A second man, aged 35, was arrested on suspicion of membership in a banned group. Both were released on bail and are expected to return to court by mid-July.