A clandestine cosmetic clinic in Pilar de la Horadada has been closed following a major Guardia Civil operation targeting illegal Botox and filler treatments across Spain. The premises was one of three unlicensed clinics dismantled during raids carried out on 8 and 9 April as part of Operation Zlata.

Officers also searched a separate drug storage facility in Pilar de la Horadada. One person was arrested and three others were placed under investigation on suspicion of crimes against public health and professional misconduct.

Investigators said the network had been active since at least August 2025, advertising treatments on social media despite having no medical qualifications or health authorisation. Those involved allegedly used prescription-only medicines without supervision. In total, officers seized 1,248 vials of botulinum toxin, 382 pre-filled syringes of hyaluronic acid, 269 vials of hyaluronidase, 51 containers of lidocaine and more than 1,000 needles and syringes.

The group’s leaders were reportedly based in Alicante, distributing products across Spain and as far as Lithuania and the United Kingdom. Health authorities have warned that treatments carried out outside authorised clinical settings can lead to serious infections, severe allergic reactions and permanent damage.