Benidorm Police Crack Six CBD Shops and Seize Large Cannabis Hauls
In a coordinated operation, authorities in Benidorm dismantled six storefronts that presented themselves as legitimate sellers of hemp products while allegedly distributing cannabis and related substances. The sweep led to the closure of the outlets and the seizure of more than 22 kilograms of cannabis in cannabis buds, roughly 5 kilograms of cannabis resin, and 174 ready-made cannabis items. The effort involved the National Police and its narcotics unit, underscoring ongoing concerns about the misrepresentation of hemp goods and potential drug trafficking at businesses branded as CBD and hemp commerce.
The narcotics group in Benidorm began the investigation after receiving information about public-facing shops marketing products as lawful, yet giving the impression of illicit drug exchanges to customers. The inquiry sought to determine who controlled the venues and who directly sold prohibited substances within the network. The investigative team followed a careful path to identify both the managers or administrators and the employees involved in the alleged sales activity. The objective was to expose a coordinated ring rather than isolated mislabeling incidents. [Citation: National Police Benidorm authorities].
Investigators eventually identified six businesses that appeared to operate under the guise of selling CBD substances framed as hemp derivatives. In reality, authorities noted, these outlets were suspected of distributing drugs beyond legal limits. Current regulations restrict the sale and distribution of marijuana regardless of purity or THC content because it remains a controlled substance. The discovery highlighted how some vendors exploit the legal distinctions between hemp and cannabis to target customers with illegal products. [Citation: National Police Benidorm files].
During interviews, shop representatives claimed that the hemp products were intended for decorative, industrial, or seed-oil uses, including hemp fiber for textiles. They emphasized that the items were marketed as non-psychoactive or with negligible THC levels to justify their sales under legal pretenses. Investigators noted that such statements were part of a broader strategy to normalize cannabis products under the hemp commerce banner. [Citation: Police statements].
Surveillance at the sites showed a steady flow of customers entering and exiting, with shoppers spending only short periods inside and leaving without any clear opportunity to use the products on site. The pattern pointed to retail activity rather than immediate consumption, consistent with sales aimed at possession for later use or distribution. [Citation: Surveillance records].
Judicial authorization was sought to search the six shops near Levante beach and the Benidorm marina. National Police officers carried out the searches, resulting in the arrest of eleven individuals. The seizures included more than 22 kilograms of marijuana in buds, about 5 kilograms of hashish, 174 cannabis products, and 1,755 euros in cash. The operation showed how the alleged ring displayed prohibited items in their venues, using decorative displays and packaging designed to present the products as premium, consumer-friendly goods. [Citation: Court records].
The police described the seized drugs as items with potential high street value if sold illegally, with authorities estimating the illicit market value at over 177,000 euros. The details indicated that the detainees arranged the storefronts to attract customers through a sophisticated look, including glass display cases and well-timed product presentation. [Citation: Police assessment].
Among those detained were individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Spanish, Argentine, and Ukrainian nationals, all aged between 19 and 33. They were handed to the court on duty in Benidorm, with the investigation continuing and the Narcotics Group in Benidorm not ruling out further arrests as the case develops. The operation serves as a clear reminder that the line between hemp commerce and illegal drug distribution can blur when vendors try to capitalize on perceived legality. [Citation: Court docket updates].