In a coordinated operation, local police from Marbella and Estepona tracked down a long-sought drug dealer with ties to Huelva. The suspect, who had been trying to serve a sentence at a resettlement center in A Coruña, was located and detained after a dramatic pursuit through Andalusia. The arrest followed reports that he had escaped from the center with permission to work during the day, a privilege he reportedly exploited to slip away and avoid capture for weeks.
The man, identified as Anselmo Sevillano, has long been labeled a key figure in cannabis distribution in the region. On a Friday afternoon, the pursuit began when officers observed a gray Mercedes C 220 with German plates driving erratically through Marbella. The driver, who tried to flee, accelerated and headed toward Estepona, prompting a rapid response from the local police patrols.
The chase intensified as the suspect pushed the limits of speed, weaving through streets while units from the Marbella Police requested reinforcement from Estepona colleagues. The incident unfolded at 7:18 p.m., with authorities signaling for support and guidance as the suspect refused to yield, escalating the risk to bystanders and other road users.
After a tense sequence, the high-end car was eventually halted in the Guadalmansa access lane. A coordinated blockade by Estepona officers succeeded in stopping the vehicle, and the chase came to a conclusion under the watchful eyes of the responsive police teams, who promptly restrained the driver and secured the scene.
Sevillano had been on the run since the previous March. He was previously serving a sentence in Córdoba but had been granted a third-degree status thanks to a verified daytime employment contract in A Coruña. This arrangement allowed him to work during the day while requiring him to reside at night within the center, a routine he failed to observe after a few weeks, triggering a search and a subsequent arrest warrant that eventually led to his capture.
Historical records reveal that Sevillano’s criminal history is lengthy. The latest arrest marks the continuation of a long journey through Spain’s judicial system. His most recent major conviction dates back to 2011, when authorities apprehended him at his Malaga residence and sentenced him to 14 years in prison on drug trafficking charges. Additionally, he faced prior sentences for marijuana smuggling, which had been tiled into the ongoing legal process. The court’s timelines indicate a potential release year in the late 2020s, depending on subsequent reviews and any additional sentencing considerations.
The case underscores ongoing efforts by regional police to dismantle organized drug networks and to pursue individuals who exploit temporary work permissions to evade law enforcement. It also highlights the challenges faced by the judicial system in monitoring parolees and ensuring that probation and work-release arrangements align with public safety requirements. Local authorities reiterated their commitment to rigorous enforcement and close collaboration across municipalities to prevent similar escapes and to bring suspects to justice swiftly.
Observers note that cooperative policing between Marbella and Estepona has proven effective in maintaining public safety in the Costa del Sol region. The successful interception of a high-profile drug dealer reinforces the message that such collaborations enable faster response times and stronger outcomes when dealing with criminal networks that cross municipal boundaries. No further details were released about the ongoing legal proceedings while authorities continue their comprehensive review of Sevillano’s case, including the circumstances surrounding his work-release approval and the decisions by the social integration center that supervised him during the period in question.