The plot, which began to unravel after the interception of packages containing growth hormone and other prohibited substances at Paris Airport, had Spain as its final destination. This international alert allowed the Guardia Civil to uncover a complex network that used the Costa del Sol as an operational hub for distributing anabolics.
The Supreme Court has brought an end to this major doping and drug trafficking case, upholding the convictions for ten defendants. The sentences imposed are for public health offenses and belonging to a criminal group, including a prison sentence of over six years for one of the defendants.
“"The Supreme Court rejects all arguments and endorses the police and judicial actions from the outset. The magistrates rule out that it was a “prospective” or random investigation."
One of the key points of the operation was located in a storage room of a gym in Benalmádena. Following extensive surveillance, agents confirmed a constant flow of people and the movement of bags containing doping substances. These packages were subsequently sent to third parties via a courier company located in Fuengirola.
The investigation intensified in 2016 with initial surveillance and judicial geolocation measures. In 2017, a search of a home on the Costa del Sol led to the discovery of nearly two kilograms of cocaine, which increased the criminal severity of the case. Analyses confirmed the substance had a purity of 70.1%, according to the ruling.
The defenses attempted to annul the investigation, citing insufficient evidence for wiretaps and searches, and questioning the chain of custody for the cocaine. However, the Supreme Court dismissed all appeals, validating the police and judicial actions from the beginning and emphasizing the solidity of the prior evidence.
