Julián has not worked as a VTC driver for three months and already understands how things operate. Shortly after starting, in the Lavapiés district, he recalls three passengers offering him to take a bale in the trunk to earn extra money. Soon after, others hired him to stand at different portals. He would step out, deliver something, and return to the car. The police are not naïve; they increasingly sense something amiss and stop vehicles more often. A quick glance at Madrid reveals VTC units being checked at numerous checkpoints, he explained to a Spanish regional newspaper.
Five people were convicted in Madrid alone over the past year, including drivers and passengers. Hidden cylinders filled with compressed cocaine, backpacks containing heroin and marijuana, and concealed bags of MDMA, ketamine, and more hidden on bodies were found as attempts to exploit VTC services.
Drivers say they are powerless to intervene. They call for greater police oversight, while noting that the police do respectful work. One driver explained that it is difficult to curb the activity because clients are hard to cache and the practice persists across different portals.
“Pink Panther” in the groin area
Judicial documents reviewed show that a passenger was sentenced on March 7 by Madrid’s county court to three years in prison after a routine police check in Alcobendas targeted VTC vehicles. An illicit store of drugs was found in his clothing, including MDMA, cannabis, ketamine, amphetamines, and several bags of a psychoactive substance known as 2C-B. The court estimated the seized drugs could be sold on the street for around 890 euros.
Likewise, another passenger detained during a routine check in Carabanchel was sentenced to a year in prison for hiding a backpack containing about 100 grams of marijuana under a vehicle seat. A small amount of cash, about 60 euros, suggested proceeds from illegal drug trafficking, hinting at prior stops for sales.
One veteran VTC driver noted that a similar pattern has been observed. He suspected passengers were asked to stop at various checkpoints and sometimes seemed to be delivering items. He added that pandemic-related pressures may have reinforced illicit practices, though no one condones them.
On the run with 3 kilos of heroin
Last June, a 20-year-old man placed in isolation due to the coronavirus was convicted in Moratalaz by Madrid’s municipal police after being spotted entering a VTC vehicle with a large red bag. The investigation uncovered precision scales and blades, along with components used to cut narcotics such as cannabis resin, MDMA, and caffeine. The total sentence exceeded two years for a public health offense, and officers faced resistance during the arrest.
The incident was not isolated. A person carrying a backpack was arrested in a shopping mall car park in Orcasur with three kilograms of heroin and was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. The discovery suggested previous efforts to transport drugs via VTC routes.
Including drivers
The issue is not solely about customers. On February 28, Madrid’s county court sentenced a VTC driver to almost two years in prison for crimes against public health. The man, aged 57, was stopped on a road cutting through the Tetuán neighborhood and ending in Paseo de la Castellana, carrying bags with compressed cocaine. A bundle of cash found in his shirt pocket suggested profits from drug sales.
Another arrest occurred at the end of January 2023, when authorities stopped a VTC driver found with quantities of drugs described as pink cocaine and heroin, along with around 185 euros in small denominations that could reflect drug trafficking earnings.
Driver sentenced to 9 years and 31 million euros fine
One notably severe case involved a driver sentenced last year by the Madrid State Court to nine years in prison and a 31 million euro fine. He had acted as an undercover operator within a smuggling network attempting to move drugs from Ecuador to a port facility in the Humanes region.
Police did not confirm whether checks were intensified
Law enforcement officials contacted for comment did not confirm an increase in random checks on taxis and VTCs, but some drivers feel that heightened scrutiny is indeed occurring. One driver emphasized that authorities are vigilant and that parked and moving checks are more frequent. There is no formal directive directing more inspections, but officers must stay alert to risks from rented scooters, delivery personnel, taxi drivers, and VTCs, a reconnaissance typical since the pandemic era.
The issue with smugglers using delivery services during the pandemic period has been among the most significant and troubling developments. If those involved are captured with illegal substances, they face severe penalties. Drivers noted that customers can refuse rides due to a perceived risk, and VTC workers may experience similar hesitations. Platforms are expected to support drivers, and industry associations have suggested bringing drug trafficking into upcoming discussions with authorities.