National Police officers have arrested eleven people for allegedly belonging to a criminal group dedicated to drug trafficking in Benidorm, Alicante. Those detained are seven men and four women aged between 18 and 65. The court has ordered imprisonment for the main suspect.
The police investigation began after authorities discovered that a family clan was supposedly using two properties very close to the English zone as retail points of sale for narcotic substances such as cocaine, hashish and marijuana, according to a statement from the security force.
Once initial enquiries were carried out to verify the accuracy of the information received and to determine the potential existence of criminal activity, officers focused their actions on locating the suspects. This included monitoring the movement of people around the addresses flagged as potential drug distribution points, as well as identifying individuals supposedly involved in the events.
The surveillance and follow-up operations allowed authorities to identify two men as the supposed masterminds behind the activity. They also observed individuals quietly contacting the suspects through various communication channels.
Agents verified that the suspects utilised three properties as retail points for narcotic substances, where small amounts of drugs were supposedly exchanged for money. These short-duration operations took place both inside the premises and nearby on public roads.
Furthermore, officers observed that the suspects routinely adopted counter-surveillance measures, altering their routines, itineraries and schedules, while constantly monitoring the surroundings to hinder their identification and tracking and to detect any potential police presence.
With all the evidence gathered, it was established according to the National Police that the suspects formed an organised criminal network whose sole purpose was the commission of illegal acts, all sharing a similar nature and identical modus operandi, achieving an “absolute specialisation among its members” and financial profits.
Following a request for search and entry warrants for three properties in Benidorm, the police force arrested the eleven individuals accused of drug trafficking and membership of a criminal group.
Officers seized more than 550 grammes of cocaine, 34 grammes of marijuana, 43 grammes of hashish, four grammes of pink cocaine or tusi, over 4000€ in banknotes of various denominations, 18 high-end mobile phones and multiple items supposedly used to distribute substances.
Police noted that once the operational phase concluded, it was confirmed that three retail drug-selling points located in properties near the English leisure area were dismantled, successfully breaking up the criminal group.
Three of the eleven detainees were brought before the duty court in Benidorm following police procedures, which ordered the remand in custody of the principal suspect.