Insecurity
National Police agents dismantled a Cocaine retail operation linked to a family in Elche. After months of careful observation and high security measures maintained by the suspects, officers from the Narcotics Group moved in and conducted searches at the residence. The operation targeted a close-knit clan that ran a steady, street level trade in cocaine, delivering the drug directly to buyers within the neighborhood.
The investigation showed that officers were present among residents in the district before the raid, confirming the location where cocaine was sold in small quantities. Residents reported persistent feelings of insecurity tied to the presence of drug activity, and the situation raised concerns about crime linked to the habit of some individuals to visit the houses for their doses. Local residents described how incidents of theft and robberies sometimes occurred around the area, driven by the demand for narcotics.
As the inquiry progressed, authorities verified that the suspects owned three adjacent homes connected internally. One of the properties served as the direct point of sale, while the other two functioned as logistical hubs for hiding drugs and money and for coordinating the illicit network. The setup allowed the gang to manage the retail distribution while keeping the operation under a veil of normalcy in the surrounding streets.
Reserves
To minimize risk during potential inspections, the family group maintained small stockpiles of drugs at the sale point and collected proceeds from sales in a staggered manner. This approach ensured there was always a modest reserve of drugs and cash available, while avoiding large, conspicuous concentrations of illicit assets that could attract attention.
During subsequent police actions, authorities conducted three house entries, uncovering several doses of cocaine offered for sale, and seizing cash totaling 6,320 euros along with 16 grams of cocaine. Investigators also recovered tools used for processing and distributing the narcotics and arrested three members of the clan on charges of drug trafficking and participation in a criminal organization.
Christmas
Investigators also seized 197 Christmas lottery tickets believed to be purchased with funds from cocaine sales, suggesting attempts to launder profits or obtain a return through draws. In the course of the searches, officers found a variety of items such as cosmetics, containers of alcoholic beverages, and oil bottles with intact seals, elements often acquired by drug users and subsequently exchanged with suppliers for doses of narcotics in a broader network.
The detainees, two Spanish women and one man aged between 37 and 58, were placed under the jurisdiction of the Education Court in Elche, remaining in custody for the relevant proceedings. The investigation highlighted a tightly organized criminal group that operated across several nearby dwellings, exploiting domestic spaces to facilitate the distribution of cocaine and to conceal earnings from illicit activities.