National Police officers in Cartagena have dismantled an illegal, mobile aesthetic medicine clinic that operated out of tourist apartments across several Spanish cities, including Alicante. A 36-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, both residing in the city of Alicante, are under investigation for alleged professional intrusion.
Investigators believe the pair conducted hyaluronic acid injections, Botox applications, and other cosmetic procedures for around four years without possessing the required healthcare qualifications or legal authorisation. The woman, of Algerian origin, claimed to have undertaken training for these procedures in France. The young man maintained he merely accompanied his friend on trips without participating in the treatments.
The police operation in Cartagena was initiated after a doctor alerted authorities to individuals providing cosmetic medicine without health qualifications. Officers subsequently uncovered the operational methods of the clandestine, mobile establishment.
Operation without a fixed base
The couple maintained no permanent physical clinic. Instead, they rented tourist apartments in various cities for short stays to conduct intensive treatment days. Their routes included Cartagena, Murcia, Alicante, and Barcelona. Client appointments were pre-arranged via social media, where the pair advertised their upcoming dates and destinations.
This approach allowed them to move frequently between provinces without keeping a public clinic open. Police established that tourist accommodations were being used as makeshift medical facilities for invasive procedures.
Nine clients found waiting
Officers tracked down a holiday apartment in Cartagena that had been booked for three days of procedures last June. During surveillance, police identified nine women inside the premises waiting to undergo treatments. Investigators confirmed that cosmetic procedures were being performed inside the apartment despite those responsible lacking the legally mandated healthcare training.
Medical equipment seized
A search of the property led to the seizure of various medical supplies and equipment. Officers confiscated 113 containers of hyaluronic acid, 14 containers of purified neurotoxin complex, 42 pre-filled syringes containing injectable products, over 200 hypodermic needles, insulin administration equipment, several vials of liporase, and additional cosmetic instruments. All items were taken for analysis.
Four years of unlicensed activity
The National Police are investigating both individuals for professional intrusion. Officers estimate the illegal operation ran for roughly four years across various Spanish cities. Advertisements circulated by the pair included a June tour covering Barcelona, Alicante, Cartagena, and Murcia. Messages sent to prospective clients requested that no companions attend and that video calls be avoided during sessions.
The investigation revealed that hyaluronic acid vials were purchased online from Korea for 30 euro each. Clients were charged 90 euro for half a vial and 180 euro for a full vial, whilst Botox injections were offered at 100 euro per area.
Following the operation, the National Police advised the public to ensure all aesthetic medicine treatments are conducted solely by fully qualified professionals within authorised healthcare facilities, urging caution regarding social media offers hosted in private homes or tourist rentals.
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