Officers from the Civil Guard’s Fiscal and Border Section at the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (UDAIFF), in conjunction with Customs Surveillance Officials from the Tax Agency, have apprehended five individuals on charges of crimes against public health, trafficking of narcotic substances, and the unlawful sale of sexual enhancers in Spain.
This operation commenced in the summer of 2022 when it became apparent that several individuals had assumed the civil status of another person to exploit the resident discount. Consequently, passenger inspections were intensified to counteract such illegal activities, according to the Civil Guard’s reports.
Following these inspections, agents identified an individual exhibiting suspicious nervousness, prompting a search of his belongings. This led to the discovery of a cylindrical container holding 365.8 grams of heroin, resulting in his immediate arrest.
Following this arrest and with the evidence gathered, an investigation was launched, leading to the detection of two additional suspects linked to the initial individuals. These new suspects were found in possession of 508 grams of heroin and were likewise taken into custody.
Based on the intelligence gathered and investigations conducted, it became evident that an organised group was employing individuals to transport narcotic substances by sea between the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. These substances were subsequently sold in a small establishment within a neighbourhood in La Laguna, which was primarily engaged in the sale of food items.
In September 2024, a search operation was executed at a premises located in a neighbourhood of San Cristóbal de la Laguna. During this operation, two individuals were arrested, and authorities seized 41.43 grams of heroin, 12.97 grams of cocaine (packaged for sale), 288.65 grams of cutting agents, and 20 male sexual enhancers containing sildenafil, illicitly sold in Spain in tablet and envelope formats.
Furthermore, 11,341 euros in cash were found, along with precision scales, mixing devices for cutting agents, various mobile phones, and portable radio transmitters and receivers used for short-range communication to alert individuals in case of police presence in the vicinity.
With the arrest of these five individuals—two during the searches and three at the onset of the investigation—the criminal organisation is deemed dismantled, alongside its point of sale for narcotic substances and other related products.
The apprehended individuals, along with the proceedings instituted, were forwarded to the Investigative Court No. 4 of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The substances that were seized have been dispatched to Foreign Health units for analysis. Additionally, the sexual enhancement products were sent to the National Institute of Toxicology for composition analysis.
