This week, a police operation in Benidorm targeted a network of drug retailers operating in one of the city’s more controversial neighborhoods. The action aimed to disrupt several illicit outlets spanning two city blocks, part of a broader push against narcotics in a busy tourist zone. The operation followed years of concern about illegal occupancy and make-shift housing in this area, where some residences once occupied by residents have been repurposed into hubs for illegal activity. In the early hours of Tuesday, six simultaneous searches were conducted across multiple homes in the disputed buildings, with arrests made alongside modest seizures of drugs including cannabis and cocaine.
Additionally, authorities inspected a bar within the Playmon building that was alleged to be used by a person detained in the investigation to sell narcotics. The fourteen detainees include seven individuals who had initial court appearances and were released on parole after presenting at the Benidorm Police Station, while the remainder were released after attending court proceedings.
All phases of the operation began at the end of January, based on intelligence gathered by the Benidorm Police Station and the Forensic Police Group I. Investigators uncovered a retail drug dealing network operating from several residences within the Playmon building on Portugal Avenue. Surveillance and evidence collection followed, revealing a pattern of buyers visiting these dwellings to obtain substances, and the broader impact on the local community. Authorities issued 23 sanctions to individuals found purchasing occasional doses of cocaine and marijuana, illustrating how the network catered to regular clientele while attempting to minimize law enforcement disruption.
One officer involved in the Playmon case faced detention at the scene, underscoring the challenges and risks encountered during field operations. The search focused on properties within blocks F and G, where many houses were either illegal occupancies or previously rented and later merged after partitions were removed. Reported arrangements allowed drug users to consume substances on-site, complicating police efforts to intervene and disrupting the normal flow of daily life for residents and visitors alike.
The operation is described as a social alert for this portion of Benidorm, where ongoing police activity is intended to gradually restore routine and safety. Observers note that the fourteen people arrested during this week have since been released, with many expected to resume similar activities if monitoring continues. Authorities have sealed the residences associated with the detainees, indicating a temporary halt on occupancy while investigations proceed.
Seizures were relatively small in scope: approximately 200 grams of opium poppy, around one hundred cannabis units, and roughly 2,000 euros in cash. The figures reflect criminal elements’ attempts to limit liability and hedge against potential seizures, as well as the existence of a network that can mobilize staff and locations to avoid immediate disruption. There are also ongoing reminders to residents to stay vigilant in the face of possible law enforcement presence as operations unfold.
The detainees come from diverse nationalities and ages, including a building custodian who played a role in blocking access to the facility during predawn hours and notifying other residents of law enforcement activity. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the relationships between occupants, suppliers, and buyers, with the aim of dismantling the network and reducing the impact on the community.