Police Chief of Anti-Money Laundering in Madrid Arrested During Historic Cocaine Seizure in Spain
The head of Madrid's economic crime unit of the Spanish National Police, Oscar Sanchez Gil, has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering, drug trafficking and bribery
According to media reports, the head of the economic crime department of the Spanish National Police in Madrid has been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking, money laundering and bribery. His wife, who is also an officer of the "Policía Nacional", and 13 other people were also arrested during the operation on Wednesday, as reported by the state television station RTVE, the newspaper "El Mundo" and other Spanish media, citing the relevant authorities.
During the search of the couple's house in the Madrid suburb of Alcalá de Henares, more than 20 million euros were discovered hidden in the walls, presumably from drug deals. In addition, further cash amounting to around one million euros was seized in the police chief's office.
All 15 arrested in custody
The investigation that led to the arrests was reportedly carried out by an internal affairs unit of the National Police as part of an operation led by the National Court of Justice against drug trafficking, money laundering and bribery. The investigating judge ordered pre-trial detention for all 15 detainees.
The media suspect that the arrests could be linked to a recent operation carried out in the port of Algeciras in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia: Investigators had seized a shipment of more than 13 tons of cocaine - the largest quantity of this drug ever confiscated in Spain at one time.
Shipment intercepted in Algeciras
The shipment was intercepted at the port of Algeciras, one of the main entry points for goods into Spain. The container from the port of Guayaquil, Ecuador, raised suspicions due to the exporter's history of illicit trafficking. Upon inspection on October 14, it was discovered that the drugs were hidden beneath boxes of bananas.
The seizure of 13,062 kilos of cocaine represents not only a national record, but also the second largest intervention in Europe in a single container.
The value of the seized drugs is estimated at up to 780 million euros on the street market.
Arrests and searches in several provinces
The investigation led to a series of coordinated raids in different provinces of Spain. Five searches were carried out, four in Alicante and one in Madrid, in which agents confiscated documents that are now being analyzed. In addition, a woman was arrested in Toledo, a partner in the company receiving the container. However, two of the main managers of the importing company are still at large.
In total, the authorities have arrested some 15 people so far
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