Police Dismantle Network Selling Drug-Laced Vapes Unknowingly to Users

National Police have dismantled a criminal network in Elche involved in selling CBD products in tobacconists and specialised shops across Spain under the guise of legality, while actually selling products with THC content up to seven times the legal limit. The operation spanned several municipalities in Alicante province: Elche, Alicante, Elda, Santa Pola, and Almoradí, with connections to other parts of Spain such as Valencia, Albacete, Logroño, and Tudela del Duero. The operation resulted in the arrest of five individuals suspected of public health offences and belonging to a criminal group.

The investigation began in November 2024, when the Local Police of Elche noticed a high number of drivers testing positive for tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, a highly psychoactive cannabinoid from the marijuana plant. However, all denied consuming any narcotics, though they admitted to using products containing CBD, another non-psychoactive cannabinoid from the marijuana plant.

Suspecting the commercialisation of this substance, the Activities Unit of the Local Police of Elche (UAC) conducted administrative checks in establishments identified by drivers as supply points, seizing suspicious products for analysis. Tests confirmed that the THC content was significantly higher than allowed for CBD. At this point, suspecting a potential public health offence, the matter was referred to the National Police.

With this initial information, the narcotics group of the Elche National Police Station began an investigation to identify the CBD company behind these activities and confirm the THC levels in the products being sold.

This Spanish-origin criminal network, based in Elche, is allegedly involved in money laundering from drug trafficking.

Since 2022, the suspects have allegedly been disguising the sale of narcotics under the social guise of a florist, while actually focusing exclusively on importing and selling CBD products distributed nationally in tobacconists or specialised shops.

Analysis of the CBD products sold under this legal guise revealed a THC content of 1.4%, seven times the legal limit. Considering that THC levels in marijuana range from 2% to 25%, depending on the strain and cultivation method, this clearly indicated the high THC content in these products.

The wide variety of products under investigation, freely sold in Spain and containing cannabidiol or CBD, ranged from vapes, flowers (including buds), to creams, cosmetics, and even intimate gels, which have gained popularity for their potential therapeutic health benefits.

The network used social media and videos on websites to advertise these products as a "safe consumption experience," significantly influencing consumers. Their success led to an exponential sales increase of 19,500%. In just three years, they went from earning 20,000 euros to over two million euros, allegedly laundering the money.

Through this manoeuvre, the criminal organisation managed to give a veneer of legality to their illicit drug trafficking activities. They introduced narcotics into the legal market, misleading users into believing they were consuming harmless substances, when in fact, they were unknowingly consuming drugs, with consequent public health impacts.