The Guardia Civil shut down a network of illegal cannabis clubs in Vega Baja and arrested 17 people.

As part of a large-scale operation to combat organized crime, the Guardia Civil completed an investigation and shut down six illegally operating cannabis clubs. The operation, dubbed "Ácido-23," resulted in the arrest of 17 people and a significant seizure of narcotics.

According to law enforcement, the clubs formally presented themselves as cannabis associations, but in reality, they operated as illegal drug distribution points for commercial gain.

Progress of the operation. The investigation began in March 2023 following a request from the Federal Anti-Drug Prosecutor's Office, which drew attention to the new association, which subsequently aroused the suspicions of investigators. Based on monitoring and analyzing complaints about drug trafficking in the region, the Guardia Civil conducted surveillance and collected evidence for a year.

Between November 2024 and March 2025, law enforcement conducted eight coordinated raids in the cities of Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura, and Rojales. The searches uncovered:

almost 10 kilograms of marijuana and its derivatives, including oils, hashish, and products ready for distribution;

767 pre-rolled joints;

a small illegal laboratory complex for the processing and production of psychoactive substances;

cash amounting to over €4,200.

A total of six cannabis clubs were closed, with the court ordering them to remain banned for five years for violating drug trafficking laws.

Detainees Those arrested included 17 people (11 men and 6 women) aged between 26 and 69, with citizenship from Spain, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Russia, and Finland. All were charged with drug trafficking and membership in an organized crime group.

Following the trial, those arrested were released pending trial, and the clubs involved in the case were closed. The court's five-year closure is aimed at eliminating channels for the illegal distribution of drugs under the guise of legal associations.

Guardia Civil representatives emphasized that this operation is an important step in the fight against drug trafficking in the region, particularly in cases where criminal organizations attempt to exploit legal loopholes by disguising their commercial activities as legitimate clubs. Law enforcement agencies urged citizens to report suspicious activity through official channels.