Officers from the National Police, in collaboration with the Local Police of Arona in southern Tenerife, have successfully dismantled a drug trafficking point located within a commercial establishment in the Las Verónicas leisure district, disguised as a purported non-profit association, and have arrested its two leaders.
The investigation into the venue revealed a significant influx of individuals entering and exiting daily, predominantly tourists who were misled into believing they were purchasing legal substances due to the deceptive information disseminated by the offenders.
Upon entry into the establishment, the detainees exhibited considerable resistance towards the attending officers, even engaging in physical assaults, which led to charges of assault and injuries, alongside the offence of drug trafficking.
The premises were secured following the operation due to numerous significant technical shortcomings, including the absence of emergency exits, which could have resulted in severe consequences considering the high volume of patrons frequenting such venues.
Alongside the two individuals arrested for the aforementioned offences, investigators confiscated over 180 cannabis cigarettes, half a kilogram of the plant’s buds, and various edibles such as biscuits and gummies, as well as vapes containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
These establishments are often presented as non-profit associations geared towards cannabis consumption amongst friends, but in reality, they engage in genuine drug sales, exploiting the influx of tourists in the region and concentrating on night-time sales every day of the week.
Moreover, such activities provoke a rise in crimes including theft and violent robbery, as criminals collaborate, facilitating easier concealment and exchange of stolen goods for money.
The National Police values the contribution of citizens and encourages them to provide information for public safety via the policia.es website by selecting the ‘contact’, ‘drugs’ button, or through the email antidroga@policia.es. Information will be treated anonymously by National Police detectives.
