Residents’ complaints regarding the storage of marijuana on the roof of the Provincial Police Station and the pungent odour that emanates from it were revived yesterday, Friday March 27th, as a result of two anti-drug operations in Alicante, during which the National Police confiscated over 126 kilograms of marijuana. In conjunction with the Smuggling Section of the Customs Surveillance Service, the police conducted operations that resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of narcotics.
The initial operation involved the apprehension of a 53-year-old and 50-year-old Italian couple, as well as their 25-year-old son, for drug trafficking at a cannabis club situated in the city centre. The Drugs and Organised Crime Unit (UDYCO), the Central Police Station’s Operational Response Group, the National Police’s Attached Unit, and the Customs Surveillance Service’s Smuggling Section conducted the operation. Officers confiscated 300 grams of marijuana seedlings and 30 grams of hashish.
Conversely, a young Albanian male was apprehended in Alicante by officers from the UDYCO and the SVA while operating a van that contained 126 kilograms of marijuana buds.
Nuisances
The seized plants were stored in a drying room on the roof of the police facilities before being transported to the Health Department for analysis. Residents residing in close proximity to the Alicante Provincial Police Station complained about the strong odour of marijuana that emanated from the facility yesterday.
Several months ago, these residents submitted a complaint to the National Police regarding the removal of the plants from the visible area and their relocation. One resident who was impacted stated, “They expressed regret for the inconvenience, but they did not provide a solution.” She commended the police for their efforts, but she insisted that the narcotics that had been confiscated be stored in a different location. Following the two anti-drug operations, the residents’ complaints reemerged on Friday.
Several officers were on the rooftop packing the marijuana into boxes in order to store it in the drying room installed for this purpose at the Provincial Police Station. The strong smell of marijuana began this Thursday after the police operation involving 126 kilos concluded and continued this Friday.
Even at the main entrance of the Provincial Police Station, the distinct odour of marijuana was discernible from the street. A resident of a block located across the street expressed his belief that the odour is a public health issue and should not be tolerated, particularly in light of the presence of juveniles.
The Police expressed regret for the inconvenience and damages that had been caused in response to a complaint regarding the storage of marijuana last September. They also assured that the storage does not pose any risk to the public health, the health of the officials, or the health of the nearby buildings, with the exception of the initial odour.
However, the Police clarify that this substance is not permitted to be stored in enclosed spaces, and the plants must be dried outdoors to prevent deterioration and to prevent the alteration of their active ingredient analyses.
Nevertheless, the police have stated that the narcotics will be destroyed after the analysis is completed, despite the fact that this process requires a minimum amount of time.
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