Same old story
PROSECUTORS want the former head of the Policia Nacional’s anti-drug unit in Alicante jailed for 15 years for his role in the biggest-ever cocaine distribution gang in the Valencian Community.
The El Pais newspaper reports that Inspector Javier Mendez was part of a 69-strong crew that distributed 4,000 kilos of cocaine.
Mendez has been charged with drug trafficking, bribery and illegally disclosing information, according to documents seen by El Pais.
His associates were well-known Galician and Valencian drug traffickers who set up an extensive operation to launder their proceeds with front men and shell companies in Romania, Sweden, Portugal and Colombia.
The cocaine gang was brought down in 2019 with one of the leaders found to have €1.5 million in cash stuffed in three suitcases at his house.
The Prosecutor’s Office has requested a total of 749 years in prison for the gang members and fines amounting to €435 million.
Javier Mendez attended 24 meetings in 2018 and 2019 in Denia, Javea and Alicante with leaders of the criminal group.
He’s accused of tipping-off two of the ring-leaders about police investigations and taking part in a money laundering plot to recycle profits made from the enterprise.
Cash was laundered through a Denia luxury car dealership Designcars, according to prosecutors..
The dealer had 70 cars including brands like Porsche, Ferrari and Jaguar with Mendez ‘buying and selling cars’ for it.
