The National Police have dismantled a criminal network in Elche that was selling CBD products in tobacconists and speciality stores across Spain under the pretence of legality, although they had THC levels up to seven times the legal limit. The operation in Elche, Alicante, Elda, Santa Pola, Almoradí, Valencia, Albacete, Logroño, and Tudela del Duero resulted in the arrest of five individuals suspected of committing a crime against public health and belonging to a criminal group.
Positive marijuana testing in standard driver inspections
The investigation began in November 2024, when the National Police discovered an unusual increase in drivers who tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, a cannabinoid derived from the marijuana plant with highly psychoactive properties, during routine road safety checks conducted by the Elche Local Police.
They all agreed, however, that, while they had not ingested any narcotics, they had consumed a product containing CBD, another non-psychoactive cannabinoid derived from the marijuana plant that is lawfully sold in Spain as long as it contains less than 0.2% THC.
Vapers with THC levels seven times greater than authorised
The narcotics team at the Elche Police Station subsequently initiated an inquiry to identify the CBD company responsible for these events and determine the amount of THC in the items for sale. They worked with the Economic Crime unit to hunt down a criminal network of Spanish origin situated in Elche that was reportedly involved in drug trafficking-related money laundering.
Since 2022, the suspects have been concealing the sale of narcotic substances under the corporate purpose of a company registered for the “Retail and wholesale trade of Flowers, Plants, Seeds, as well as ornamental accessories for floral decoration,” despite the fact that it was solely dedicated to the import and sale of CBD products, which were distributed nationwide in tobacconists and/or CBD-specialised stores.
CBD products advertised under this legal pretence were found to contain 1.4% THC, which is seven times the legal limit.
The products under examination, which were offered over the counter in Spain and contained cannabidiol or CBD, included vapes, flowers (including buds), lotions, cosmetics, and even intimate or pleasure gels.
Social media advertisements and extravagant benefits
The network advertised these products as a “safe consumer experience” on social media and through website videos, dramatically influencing consumers and increasing sales by 19,500%. In just three years, the network increased its revenues from €20,000 in the first year to more than €2 million in the third year, allegedly by laundering the proceeds of its illicit activities.
With this manoeuvre, the criminal organisation was able to give a semblance of legality to its illicit drug trafficking activity by introducing narcotic substances into the legal market, misleading users into believing they were consuming substances that were harmless or inoffensive to their bodies when, in fact, they were unknowingly consuming drugs, with the resulting impact on public health.
Inspection of establishments in several provinces
Finally, a comprehensive police operation was carried out, resulting in the arrest of the five principal criminals, who were all apprehended in Elche. During the operation, three raids were carried out, resulting in the confiscation of 11,744 dosages ready for sale, 181 kg of vacuum-packed raw material, and €3,000 cash. Twenty locations in the aforementioned towns, including tobacco shops and CBD stores, were examined, and a total of 1,192 dosages were seized for public sale.
Author: Derek Appleton
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