military transport helicopters to the Islamic Republic and detained eight people for the crime, including three Iranians.
The police seized the US-made helicopters and arrested five Spanish businessmen suspected of trying to export them along with three Iranians accused of negotiating the purchase of military materiel without a license.
In the operation, dubbed “Nam,” the police raided industrial warehouses in Madrid and Barcelona and secured helicopters before they could leave Spain, a police statement said.
The police also seized aviation spare parts allegedly destined for export to Venezuela, police said.
Police estimated the total value of the helicopters, spares and other military materiel at about 100 million euros ($140 million).
Police said the aircraft were subject to European Union and Spanish controls as well as being banned for export to Iran by the United Nations.
With a top speed of 230 kph (140 mph) and an average range of 600 kilometers (370 miles), the helicopters were designed to ferry troops and military equipment, police said.
The Spanish companies flouted export requirements, failing to obtain licenses for the export of military materiel or so-called dual-use goods that can have military applications, the police said.
The firms knew the export of the aircraft and spare parts was banned, the police
The helicopters were being prepared for disassembly prior to being shipped.
Police said they found out about the arrival in Spain of the Iranian purchasers who had come to formalize the deal and they then launched the operation to arrest them.