A gang of drug traffickers laundered 4 million euros in real estate and commercial purchases on the Spanish Costa Blanca

A gang of drug traffickers from the Costa Blanca laundered 4 million euros of profits by buying businesses and properties between 2019 and 2022.

The criminals’ business portfolio included a beauty salon, an auto repair shop, a fast food store and a game room, all in Alicante.

The investment purchases included a farm in the small town of Quatretondeta and a large building in the center of the city of Orihuela that the gang restored.

Eight people – all Spanish – have been arrested in Alicante, Agost and Mutxamel by the National Police.

The investigations began at the end of 2021 after five people were arrested for drug trafficking and the police were curious where their money went.

The gang leaders, along with friends and relatives, were found to have invested in real estate and a variety of businesses to hide their illegal income streams.

16 properties were seized in Alicante, Santa Pola, Orihuela, Bussot, Mutxamel and Quatretondeta, in addition to nine vehicles and what the Police described as “abundant” computer material.

The detainees -five men and three women- were made available to the investigating courts of Alicante and San Vicente del Raspeig.