The arrested individuals are being investigated for drug trafficking offenses and membership in a criminal group, as reported by the National Police. The investigation, conducted jointly with the Benidorm Local Police, allowed for the detection over several months of numerous interventions with consumers carrying drugs allegedly purchased at the suspicious businesses.

Among the main individuals under investigation are two business owners responsible for several leisure establishments in the city, and two other individuals who allegedly managed the security and public relations of these venues. The latter were also responsible for alerting the others using nicknames when they detected police presence in the area.

During the course of the investigation, police actions were also recorded due to fights and brawls in some of these establishments. On certain occasions, Benidorm Local Police officers reportedly experienced harassment and coercion from individuals linked to the venues as a result of previous inspections and arrests.

The operation included two major police interventions to inspect up to seven leisure venues. As a result of these actions, six sanctioning files were processed for various administrative infractions, including exceeding capacity, lack of insurance, non-compliance with evacuation measures, arbitrary application of admission rights, and sale of tobacco to minors.

On the first night of the operation, 53 people were arrested. Officers seized over 32,000 euros in cash, 40 walkie-talkies, 16 mobile phones, six pepper sprays, a knuckle duster, two magnetic boxes allegedly used to hide drugs, 23 grams of cocaine, two grams of ecstasy, 63 grams of cutting agent, and two grams of marijuana. In a second action, another 24 people were arrested. All 80 detainees, aged between 18 and 82 years, gave statements and were subsequently released. All proceedings have been forwarded to the Benidorm Duty Investigating Court, which will continue with the judicial investigation of the case.