Spanish authorities arrested four individuals on Tuesday for allegedly running a sanctions-busting network after intercepting over 14 tons of chemical products bound for Russia.

Some chemicals, potentially precursors for weapons or nerve agents, had been previously exported using this network.

The chemicals were found in a shipping container at the port of Barcelona, and the suspects were detained in nearby villages.

The investigation began in 2022, following sanctions on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, CBS News has reported.

The network involved shadow companies in countries like Armenia and Kyrgyzstan to deliver the chemicals to Russia.

Written by B.C. Begley