The defence attorneys of three defendants accused of disclosing classified information and bribery, one of whom is a Guardia Civil member, have reached an agreement with the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office halfway through the trial phase to accept the charges against them, resulting in a conviction, in exchange for a reduction in the sentences requested in the provisional statement of facts. The trial, which was taking place in the Elche Court, was halted in its second session after an agreement was struck that primarily concerns the Guardia Civil member, as it would result in the loss of this status.
The Almoradí Judicial Police are investigating an organised group that used the “butrón” method to commit robberies in the region and surrounding areas, including Murcia. Investigators identified one of the prospective members and began tracking his movements, including obtaining legal authorisation for a wiretap request and conducting vehicle surveillance to track his every move. But something went wrong, because the car vanished a few days later, and the suspect stopped engaging in any criminal activities. Was the suspect actually not a suspect?
However, one of the recordings made of him revealed a conversation with another person, also accused in these proceedings, whom he affectionately referred to as “My Boy,” in which he requested confidential information about which people could be the subject of the investigation or which vehicles were or could be under surveillance, according to the provisional statement of facts. The officers sought another recording, this time from “My Boy’s” phone, and discovered phone talks with a Guardia Civil officer stationed at the main post in Pinto, Madrid. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, and as shown following the admission of the facts, the Guardia Civil member “conducted periodic consultations in the police files, to which he had access by virtue of his duties.” These files came from the SIGO (Integrated System for Operational Management, Analysis, and Citizen Security). Consultations focused on suspected criminal organisation members and suspicious cars under investigation by the Almoradí Judicial Police. That is, he had access to the work being done at this barracks against the Butroneros clan.
On sick leave or vacation
According to the complaint, “he made enquiries without any professional justification , even on occasions when he was on sick leave, vacation, or weekly rest.” According to the Prosecutor’s Office, he acted as a mole, passing information to “Mi Niño” who then passed it on to the suspect being investigated by the Guardia Civil in Almoradí. This information provided him with information about clan movements against him or other members. In exchange, he received funds that the investigation did not specify. The circle was closed when the Intpol file was inspected, which is a Guardia Civil Police Interest file with a database that collects information on investigations and arrests. This confirmed that he did not just consult about the other two defendants. The first one phoned him five times between 2013 and 2018, and the second five times between 2016 and 2018. However, five other identities emerged, all of whom were deemed suspects in the robbery probe. The Guardia Civil enquired about them in June and August of 2017. They had also enquired about an automobile, the same one that had disappeared after being bugged by officers, as well as another, which had never been bugged.
Two crimes
The sentences imposed for the two crimes are, in the case of the Guardia Civil, one year in prison, a six-month fine of six euros per day (1,080 euros), and two years and six months of special disqualification from holding public employment or office, which includes losing status as a Guardia Civil member. The remaining two defendants were sentenced to one year in prison, a six-month punishment of six euros each day (1,080 euros), and three months of exceptional disqualification from public employment or office. The inquiry into the safe-cracker group never resulted in a prosecution and was closed in the Orihuela courts.
Author: Derek Appleton
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