The Guardia Civil has taken significant action in El Campello, arresting a fifty-two-year-old man from the Netherlands on suspicion of drug trafficking. This operation, dubbed “Sorpresa,” led to the discovery of nearly eighty kilograms of marijuana, vacuum-sealed in packages, located in a rental van. The man’s arrest followed a tip-off from an off-duty officer who noticed unusual activity at a local property.

On February eighteenth, the officer observed two individuals loading cardboard boxes into the van while detecting the faint smell of marijuana in the area. Suspecting a drug-related crime, the officer discreetly monitored the situation and alerted uniformed officers, leading to the interception of the van moments later on the perimeter road towards Alicante.

During the inspection, authorities uncovered one hundred forty-eight packets, each weighing five hundred grams, of marijuana in the vehicle. Following this discovery, further searches were conducted at the property from which the van had departed, uncovering an additional seventy-seven bags of marijuana stored in luggage, ready for distribution.

The arrested individual faces charges of drug trafficking and has been taken to police custody. He has since been presented to the number three duty court of Alicante and has been ordered to remain in prison pending further legal proceedings.