The Elche court examined a major drug operation tied to a cache of roughly 3,300 kilograms of marijuana seized by Local Police last June. In a related development, Valverde district approved bail for four Dominican nationals who have remained in custody since their arrest in connection with the seizure, each granted bail set at 18,000 euros.
Four detainees—three of whom were represented by defense attorney Aitor Esteban Gallastegui—remained under restriction while awaiting further judicial action, as they had not yet posted the required bonds following January 25 proceedings before Instruction Court No. 1 in Elche.
The presiding magistrate indicated that it was reasonable to continue holding the suspects on bail given the elapsed time since detention and the completion of the investigation, noting there is no immediate risk of evidence destruction. The decision reflects a cautious balance between ensuring the integrity of the case and preserving the rights of the suspects.
Withdrawal of passport
In addition to the 18,000-euro bail per person under investigation, the court ordered that those who post the funds and exit prison must appear in court every two weeks. As a further measure, their passports would be retained and a travel ban to leave Spain would be imposed. These terms are designed to ensure continued cooperation with the proceedings and to prevent flight risk. The approach aligns with common judicial practice in cases involving large drug seizures, where authorities aim to secure a timely review of the charges while allowing for monitored release under strict conditions.
Initial arrests had numbered five when the Elche Local Police acted, and five more individuals were detained by security forces. Among those detained was a well-known Alicante smuggler nicknamed “Flashlight,” who reportedly has connections to the cache. The court subsequently ordered the temporary dismissal of the case against “Flashlight,” a decision reached after defense arguments by Aitor Esteban Gallastegui and another counsel for the other investigated party. This outcome illustrates how legal processes can pivot on ongoing assessments of evidence and credibility of the allegations. Attribution: Local Police and court records.
Overall, the court concluded that the alleged crime did not appear to have been fully substantiated by the two individuals, leading to the filing decision in their regard. The individual known as “El Lantern” had recently been apprehended in Madrid in a separate operation where authorities seized 70 kilograms of cocaine and where prior convictions linked him to a broader network involved in exporting marijuana to Europe, with some connections to footwear shipments. This context underscores the complexity of cross-border illicit networks and the ongoing efforts by Spanish authorities to disrupt them. Attribution: Court records; police reports.
The total gross weight of the Valverde cache was approximately 3,500 kilograms, and the seizure occurred in the early hours of June 12, 2023, when Elche Local Police officers on patrol in the Valverde district spotted two minibuses approaching. The drivers attempted evasive maneuvers, and five occupants fled on foot. Police recovered the drugs at the scene and arrested the five individuals, who subsequently escaped. The Civil Guard continued the investigation and later arrested additional suspects connected to the operation. Attribution: Local Police and Civil Guard.
Readers should note that these cases often unfold over months as investigators piece together supply chains, routes, and accomplices. The Elche proceedings highlight how authorities respond to large-scale drug trafficking with a combination of immediate enforcement and longer-term legal actions intended to prevent impunity and to deter future criminal activity. Attribution: Local authorities; court press materials.