In the Mar Menor region, the Guardia Civil has dismantled a criminal organisation linked to the alarming overprescription of psychopharmaceuticals. Over one thousand five hundred packages of medications, including benzodiazepines, were prescribed by a local doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist within just six months. This led to heightened scrutiny from law enforcement agencies, highlighting significant risks to public health.

The investigation named Operation Prazo commenced after irregularities in the prescription of analgesics and psychotropic medications were reported by the Pharmacy Inspection of the Autonomous Community of Murcia. Findings revealed a dramatic rise in the sale of these drugs in local pharmacies, prompting further inquiry by the authorities.

During the investigation, authorities discovered a medical practice involved in issuing prescriptions for medications typically reserved for psychiatric conditions. Notably, some patients who were receiving prescriptions were incarcerated, raising questions about how they could procure these medications personally.

The culmination of Operation Prazo has resulted in the arrest of twenty-two individuals, all under investigation for alleged crimes against public health, such as drug trafficking, document forgery, and membership in a criminal group. This breakthrough underscores the ongoing issues surrounding drug abuse and the need for stricter regulation in pharmaceutical practices.