Mohamed Derbah, the Lebanese businessman arrested in Tenerife as the alleged leader of the country’s largest drug trafficking network and other crimes, has expressed gratitude for the “dignified treatment” he received from security forces during his arrest, imprisonment, and subsequent release last weekend.
In a letter sent to El Digital de Canarias, the crime boss admits that he went through “especially complex days” and writes a few lines of deep gratitude to the officials, workers, and members of the security forces who “consistently showed exemplary behavior.”
The Lebanese investor was arrested on April 30. He is considered the leader of the main mafia clan in Tenerife as part of an operation against organized crime led by the Internal Affairs unit of the National Police, which arrested him along with seven other people, two of whom were police officers. They are accused of drug trafficking, money laundering, document falsification, and bribery. The network also involves Francisco Moar, the former head of the Judicial Brigade and the National Police’s Drug and Organized Crime Unit on the island.
Derbah had the support of State security services in recent years. The Lebanese investor—considered the main leader of the largest active criminal organization in Tenerife—provided key information to high-ranking intelligence and information officials, especially regarding jihadist groups and networks dedicated to illegal immigration.
The businessman has been on provisional release since Thursday evening, following a decision made by the Provincial Court, which accepted an appeal against the unconditional imprisonment order issued by the judge of court number three in Arona, Carmen Rosa Pino Abrante, who is overseeing the case.
Letter of Thanks
“I wish to take a moment to publicly express my most sincere and profound gratitude to all the people who, with humanity, professionalism, and respect, have accompanied me during this period,” begins the businessman’s message, highlighting “the dignified treatment, constant respect, and willingness to facilitate, as much as possible, a more bearable coexistence.” “They have been fundamental to me during this time,” assures Derbah regarding these particularities of those involved in his detention.
“In situations like the one I recently experienced, one discovers more clearly the value of simple and sincere gestures—a kind word, an understanding attitude, an unbiased look,” insists Derbah, who thus acknowledges “those who, from their position, act with responsibility without losing sight of the human side of the people they assist or watch over.” “Thank you for showing that professionalism and humanity are not incompatible,” he concludes, signing as “businessman and international advisor.”
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