The head of the Spanish national police, Óscar Sánchez Gil, was arrested on suspicion of corruption after investigators found 20 million euros at his home, following a seizure of 13 tonnes of cocaine, reports the daily El Mundo.
A twist of theater. As part of a seizure of 13 tonnes of cocaine in Spain, several leads led investigators to the home of the head of the economic crimes section of the Spanish national police. Suspected of having a link with the criminal organization which organized the trafficking, the 48-year-old man had 20 million euros in cash at his home, as well as a million euros in 50 notes hidden in his office. He was arrested and prosecuted for corruption and money laundering.
The events took place on November 6. Spanish authorities have got their hands on a shipment of 13 tonnes of cocaine hidden in crates of bananas transported in a container from Ecuador to Algeciras. This is “the largest seizure in the history of drug trafficking in Spain” and “the second largest seizure in Europe in a single container, and one of the largest seizures globally,” according to the Spanish police.
But the investigation took an unexpected turn after this seizure, when several leads led the police to the home of the head of the economic crimes section of the national police, Óscar Sánchez Gil. During his arrest, investigators found 20 million euros hidden in the walls of their colleague's house.
A “discreet but brilliant” police officer
Presented as a discreet but brilliant police officer, Óscar Sánchez Gil, went through the narcotics and organized crime section, recalls El Mundo. His arrest would have surprised many of his colleagues. According to the first elements of the investigation, he is not only suspected of having a link with the criminal organization which organized cocaine trafficking, but also of having protected traffickers for several years. The amount of money found in his house would have been collected for “services rendered” over the years. His wife was also arrested.
Following his arrest, investigators also searched the police chief's office. There they found a million euros in 50 notes hidden in a cupboard. Police also searched several homes and offices in Madrid and Alicante, a city in the Valencia region, and arrested a woman, “associated with the company receiving the shipment.” The two managers of the importing company, however, are on the run.
