In Torrevieja, the Civil Guard carried out a coordinated operation targeting two drug dealing hotspots located within close proximity to a student academy. In one building, illegally occupied by multiple individuals, law enforcement observed illicit activity that alarmed local residents. Three suspects were arrested as officers witnessed drug transactions, with dealers accepting stolen jewelry and other items as payment for illegal substances.
The investigation by the Torrevieja Civil Guard’s Investigation Field began after information surfaced about a drug smuggling operation in a densely populated urban area. Residents reported that the occupancy of the property had spiraled into a security concern, as people moved in and out at all hours and the occupants appeared under the influence of narcotics, affecting the neighborhood atmosphere.
An additional issue for the area emerged as some drug users, lacking cash, turned to stealing jewelry and other small, valuable items from nearby locations to exchange for drugs. This pattern of crime contributed to a climate of fear and distrust among residents.
Selling near students
Authorities learned that the three suspects maintained a second occupied home about 500 meters from the first. The same illicit activity occurred there, with the building located adjacent to a training academy where minors received classes. According to the Benemérita, continuous customer flow near the academy created a risky situation for young people, especially since peak drug dealing traffic aligned with the academy timetable.
Drugs and other substances were seized in the course of the operation, underscoring the extent of the problem in the area. A storefront style operation was uncovered, with purchases and consumption occurring in the immediate vicinity of the academy, prompting heightened concern for the wellbeing of students and staff alike.
The operation involved simultaneous entry to both residences and the subsequent surveillance that led to the arrests of the three alleged offenders. This coordinated effort was supported by the Torrevieja Citizens’ Security Unit and a detection dog trained to identify narcotics, enhancing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
During searches of the two properties, authorities recovered a range of illicit substances, including heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and hashish. They also found a substantial sum of money, around 7,500 euros, concealed in the cushions of a sofa. The discovery helped illustrate how profits from trafficking were hidden in everyday furniture and personal spaces.
Stolen items
Investigators uncovered a large quantity of jewelry and various other items taken during separate robberies. These goods had been used to pay for drugs, tying together the networks involved in both trafficking and theft. All seized items were inventoried and eventually returned to their rightful owners where possible.
The three detainees, aged 28, 38, and 42, were well known to local law enforcement for prior offenses. They were charged with drug trafficking, possession with intent to supply, and belonging to a criminal organization. A court in Torrevieja considered the case and decided that two ringleaders should remain in custody while awaiting further proceedings, with a third suspect released after filing a criminal complaint. This outcome reflects the ongoing commitment of authorities to disrupt organized crime networks in the area. [Citation: Guardia Civil, 2024]