In El Campello, investigations by the Civil Guard and local police uncovered a cannabis association that clustered its activities under a social-advocacy banner but operated as a front for drug distribution. Neighbors had long complained about a strong odor that floated from the premises, prompting local authorities to scrutinize the site more closely. The probe began with routine neighborhood inquiries and quickly evolved into a broader effort to determine whether the club was simply a community space or a cover for illicit operations that exploited the appearance of a non-profit group to evade scrutiny. [Attribution: Civil Guard and El Campello Local Police]
During the operation, code-named Operation Lolilo, investigators focused on who was entering the club and who left it. They observed that several individuals who were not registered members appeared to seek provisional entry with the aim of participating in drug use inside the facility. This pattern led officers to suspect that a network of partners was using the association as a shield for illegal trafficking under the guise of community service. The interactions suggested that the group might be mixing legitimate social activities with illegal commerce, a distinction that can be difficult to discern without careful inspection of financial records, employee arrangements, and supply chains. [Attribution: Civil Guard and El Campello Local Police]
On April 28, authorities moved to intervene. The association was registered as an organization, and key figures including the president, the treasurer, and three partners were detained. Investigators recovered 1,500 grams of cannabis and 600 grams of hashish at the site, along with money in various denominations, totaling roughly 1,300 euros, and tools used for weighing and handling drugs. The seizure underscored the scale of the operation and provided tangible proof of drug trafficking taking place within the club’s premises. [Attribution: Civil Guard and El Campello Local Police]
The five detainees, aged between 20 and 40 and with no prior criminal records, now face charges of drug trafficking and crimes against public health. In addition, the allegations against the club’s leadership included accusations related to workers’ rights violations, as employees were reportedly not registered with the social security system, a serious offense that can carry penalties for employers who evade labor protections. These developments highlight how criminal networks sometimes blur lines between community-building activities and illegal profit cycles, exploiting the social and charitable veneer to conceal illegal supply chains. [Attribution: Civil Guard and El Campello Local Police]
As a precautionary measure, authorities ordered the temporary closure of the association to protect public safety while investigations continue. The closure aims to prevent further illicit activity from taking place on the premises and to shield the community from potential harm. Additionally, inspectors flagged unlicensed beverage and grocery sales associated with the site and traced any economic benefits derived from such sales to the appropriate regulatory authorities for further action. These steps reflect a broader enforcement approach that targets not only drug trafficking but also related offenses such as labor violations and regulatory noncompliance. [Attribution: Civil Guard and El Campello Local Police]