The public ministry has requested a five-year prison sentence for Miguel Ricart, the only convicted figure linked to the Alcasser crimes, in connection with new charges tied to alleged drug distribution since late 2022. Reports indicate he operated a pharmacy in the Raval district of Barcelona and now faces accusations related to narcotics trafficking and offenses against public health.
In a letter obtained by EFE, prosecutors lay out the case against Ricart and another individual described as involved in narcotics activities. The second defendant, who was arrested in December in a joint operation by Mossos d’Esquadra and the City Guard, faces similar public health related charges. The newly alleged offenses appear to revolve around street-level drug trafficking and the handling of controlled substances with significant health risks, including cocaine and heroin.
Ricart, now 54, has a prior conviction tied to the Alcasser murders from 1992, a case in which three teenagers aged 14 and 15 from the town were tortured, raped, and killed. Although the sentence reached 170 years, a 2013 court decision reduced it due to the suspension of the Parot doctrine, and Ricart subsequently underwent non-invasive surveillance aimed at preventing re-offending.
Following a December arrest that raised questions about ties to a drug dealer, the duty court released Ricart and the other detainee on December 21, provided they appeared regularly before the court every fifteen days until the next hearing, which had not yet been scheduled at that time.
The prosecutors contend that Ricart and the other defendants have been involved in small-scale narcotics distribution since late 2022. The substances cited include cocaine and heroin, both known for their potential to cause serious harm to health. The public ministry portrays the arrests as a local drug trafficking operation that relied on minor-scale sales to sustain a broader illegal supply chain.
According to the prosecutor’s statement, the suspects allegedly ran the drug network from a building in the Raval district. They reportedly sold drugs directly to customers who visited the neighborhood, using discreet storage and street-level distribution to maintain the operation’s efficiency.
Police surveillance, which included monitoring the pharmacy operated by Ricart, helped investigators identify multiple customers who purchased small quantities of heroin and cocaine. Such findings prompted authorities to seek a warrant to search the premises. During the search, investigators recovered cash, a security camera connected to a mobile device, and a plastic firearm. Officers also reported items tossed from a window, including a glasses box containing three bags of cocaine, which prosecutors believe were intended for sale. The investigation into the distribution network continues as prosecutors outline the case against Ricart and his co-defendant.