The Guardia Civil has arrested a man in Torre Pacheco, Murcia, for allegedly falsifying a medical prescription on around 30 occasions in order to obtain a hypnotic medication.

The investigation, known as Operation Galendas, began in July after officers were alerted to a suspicious prescription presented at a local pharmacy. Working with the Official College of Pharmacists and the regional Health Department’s Pharmaceutical Management Service, investigators examined similar cases across pharmacies in the Campo de Cartagena area.

According to police, the suspect initially used a legitimately issued prescription from a doctor. He then digitally altered the document multiple times, fraudulently using the doctor’s identity to produce further copies. Officers said the level of digital editing was so sophisticated that it was considerably difficult to detect the forgery at first glance.

Investigators established that between January and August last year, the man obtained the hypnotic drug around 30 times. He has been identified and brought before the courts on suspicion of forgery of an official document and identity theft.