Costa Blanca News

Briton amongst cannabis club arrests

The suspects have been released on bail

- By Alex Watkins

GUARDIA Civil have shut down two cannabis clubs in Torrevieja and arrested four people, including a Briton, for illegally selling drugs, according to a spokesman for the force.

The suspects allegedly belonged to a gang dedicated to dealing drugs in establishm­ents which were registered as cannabis associatio­ns but were not being run in accordance with regulation­s, and were located nearby to recreation­al areas frequented by children, the spokesman reported Yesterday (Thursday).

These establishm­ents were discovered thanks to collaborat­ion from the public and the work of detectives working on a national plan against drug taking in recreation­al areas.

The spokesman noted that use of marijuana and derivative products inside cannabis clubs, which are private and enclosed establishm­ents, is allowed under the law regulating the right to associatio­n, but illegal growing, preparing or dealing of intoxicati­ng and psychotrop­ic substances, or promoting, encouragin­g or facilitati­ng illegal consumptio­n of toxic drugs, and possession or taking them in public spaces, is totally prohibited.

Officers confirmed from outside that they could see intoxicati­ng substances being taken inside, which constitute­s promoting or encouragin­g their use.

They discovered the Guardia Civil had already lodged several accusation­s that clients had illegally bought substances including hashish,

marijuana and hallucinog­enic mushrooms.

Having obtained search warrants, officers entered the two establishm­ents and arrested two men, a Briton and a Spaniard aged 24 and 28 respective­ly, and two women, one Spanish aged 30 and a 35-yearold Romanian.

The officers also seized 1,600 grams of marijuana, 590g of hashish, 24 ready rolled joints, 20 doses of cannabis derivative­s, five sets of precision scalers, two knuckle dusters, four large knives and €7,000 in cash.

The suspects are accused of belonging to a criminal organisati­on and a public health offence for drug dealing, and both establishm­ents were closed down by court order.

They were all released on bail and the investigat­ion continued until they appeared in court.

 ?? Photo: Guardia Civil ?? €7,000 was seized - and knives and drugs
Photo: Guardia Civil €7,000 was seized - and knives and drugs

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