The defenses of the suspects imprisoned after the joint operation of the National Police and the Guardia Civil Enroque-Manso, developed against money laundering and drug trafficking with Ibiza as a logistic point, have requested the immediate release of the detainees and the partial nullity of the judicial proceedings. According to sources of the proceedings, quoted by the newspaper Última Hora, the lawyers allege a procedural error in an extension order issued out of time, which could invalidate the subsequent proceedings.
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Criminal organization that smuggled drugs into the Balearic Islands through Ibiza’s waters is busted
Specifically, the appeal argues that the order extending the investigations – which should have been signed within 12 months from the beginning of the case – was issued late, despite the complexity of the case. If the petition is successful, a large part of the investigation could be rendered ineffective.
A macro-operation with epicenter in Ibiza
Operation Enroque-Manso, launched more than two years ago, uncovered an international drug trafficking and laundering network with branches in Mallorca, Valencia and several European countries, which used Ibizan waters to smuggle large shipments of cocaine and hashish from North Africa and South America.
During the 71 house searches, 687 kilos of cocaine, 2,500 kilos of hashish, 1.5 million euros in cash, 16 firearms, silencers, luxury watches and works of art were seized.
The main defendants
Among the 76 detainees are the alleged leader of the United Tribuns, Stefan Milojevic, considered to be the executing arm of the Albanian mafia in Spain; the lawyer Gonzalo Márquez, accused of being the financial mastermind of the network; and the National Police inspector Faustino Nogales, accused of leaking confidential information to the network. All have been in pre-trial detention since August.
Ibiza, according to the investigations, functioned as a platform for the storage and redistribution of drugs to Mallorca and the mainland, and as an enclave for money laundering through front companies and real estate operations.
Possible legal consequences
If the judge accepts the argument of the defenses and declares the proceedings subsequent to the extension order null and void, the investigation – which is in its final phase – could partially fall apart. However, sources close to the case point out that the complexity and extent of the plot could justify the delay and maintain the validity of the evidence obtained.
The judicial resolution, expected in the next few weeks, will be key to determine whether the laundering and drug trafficking cases continue, or whether a new scenario opens up that will force a repetition of part of the proceedings.
