A police inspector chief was arrested in Vigo for his alleged involvement in a drug smuggling operation along the coast of Murcia. This is the second high-ranking police officer to be detained in connection with this case, following the arrest of another inspector chief in February. The now-arrested Juan Carlos C. L. was stationed at the Spanish Embassy in Colombia and had professional ties to the previously arrested officer. He has been released on bail with strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and regular court appearances. The investigation is being led by the Court of Instruction 7 in Murcia, under a confidentiality order.
The operation leading to the arrest of these two police commanders began after intercepted phone calls revealed a network of drug traffickers who claimed to have connections with the head of the Udyco in Murcia, offering to facilitate the entry of drugs into Spain in exchange for payment. The first high-ranking police officer was arrested in February, along with five other individuals. The arrest of the second commander in Vigo was a continuation of this investigation. The detained inspector chief had primarily worked in units dedicated to combating drug trafficking, including the special response groups for organized crime in Galicia.
The arrested inspector chief, who was on vacation in Vigo at the time of his detention, had recently been assigned as a liaison at the Spanish Embassy in Colombia. Assignments at embassies are highly sought after by officers due to their generous salaries. The investigation into this case includes allegations of organized criminal activity, drug trafficking, bribery, money laundering, disclosure of confidential information, and failure to investigate crimes. The other arrested high-ranking police officer remains in custody since his arrest.
The detained officers had professional ties and had both worked in units dedicated to combating drug trafficking in the past. The arrested inspector chief in Vigo had been enjoying a holiday in the city when he was arrested. His duties at the embassy, where he worked closely with Colombian authorities on drug-related issues, will be taken over by another officer. The investigation into this case is ongoing under the supervision of the Court of Instruction 7 in Murcia. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the fight against corruption within the police force.
