A criminal investigation, launched by the Guardia Civil in Santa Pola, has unveiled a significant industrial-scale synthetic drug laboratory hidden within a garage in Dolores. The discovery occurred during a search related to the alleged exploitation of an elderly German couple by their carer.
The primary investigation focused on a 51-year-old Spanish man, who was arrested in the La Marina district of Elche. Authorities allege that he took advantage of his position as a carer for an 85-year-old woman and her now-deceased husband to embezzle more than 50,000 euro from their assets.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Eternal Dignity”, began on 29th June after a social worker in Elche raised concerns regarding the 85-year-old woman’s welfare. Investigators believe the carer had established exclusive control over the couple’s personal and financial affairs, isolating them from their family and social circles after being hired in 2022.
In addition to the alleged theft of funds, the carer is accused of stealing jewellery and failing to provide basic care, leaving the couple’s home in unsanitary conditions. A nurse reported that the victim had been administered non-prescribed medication, specifically Valium, which severely impacted her health.
The situation escalated when officers from the Guardia Civil searched the suspect’s property in Dolores. While seeking evidence of the alleged misappropriation, coercion, and document forgery, they stumbled upon a sophisticated synthetic drug manufacturing facility located in a garage on the premises.
The Alicante Command’s Organized Crime and Anti-Drug Team (EDOA) was called to manage the scene. Inside the garage, officers found reaction chambers, ventilation systems, mixers, heaters, and vacuum filters, indicating a facility set up for large-scale production. Large quantities of hazardous chemicals were also seized, including 400 litres of methylamine and 600 litres of dichloromethane.
During the search, two individuals—a Dutch citizen and an Estonian citizen—attempted to enter the property. They initially fled when they noticed the police presence but were intercepted shortly after in San Fulgencio. Both individuals have been remanded in custody by a judge in Orihuela on charges including crimes against public health, possession of precursor chemicals, resisting arrest, and electricity theft, after illegal grid connections were discovered at the site. The caregiver has since been released on bail following his appearance before a judge in Elche.
The operation remains ongoing.
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