Seventeen Members of a Gang Arrested for Trafficking Marijuana from Six Cannabis Associations in Vega Baja

Blow to marijuana trafficking in Vega Baja. The Civil Guard has dismantled a gang that sold this drug from six cannabis associations spread across the region. In one of them, they even had a laboratory where derivatives of this substance, such as hashish, oils, or sweets with high marijuana content, were manufactured.

Thus, the Civil Guard, as part of operation 'Acido-23', has arrested 17 people of eight different nationalities for alleged crimes against public health and membership in a criminal group. Additionally, the six associations have been closed for a period of five years.

The operation began in March 2023, when the Special Anti-Drug Prosecutor's Office requested reports following the registration of a new association. At the same time, an increase in complaints related to possession and consumption of narcotics in the area was detected, mainly from foreign citizens, according to Civil Guard sources.

Upon learning this information, the Civil Guard of Torrevieja launched an investigation into several cannabis associations that supposedly operated as non-profit organizations but were actually functioning as lucrative drug-selling points.

Thus, after more than a year of investigation, the agents carried out the operation in six different phases. Between November 2024 and March 2025, the Civil Guard conducted eight raids and searches in premises located in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura, and Rojales, where narcotics, consumption tools, and cash were found.

According to sources from the armed institute, in one of these establishments, a small laboratory was discovered where marijuana-derived products were made. In total, nearly 10 kilos of marijuana and derived products, 767 pre-rolled joints, syringes with liquid extract, plants, and 4,298.78 euros in cash were seized.

The detainees, 11 men and 6 women aged between 26 and 69 years and of Spanish, British, Colombian, Russian, and Finnish nationalities, were all released with precautionary measures after being brought before the court. Additionally, as a judicial result, the closure of the six implicated associations has been decreed for a period of five years.