In a shocking development, Spanish authorities have arrested Óscar Sánchez Gil, the former chief of Spain’s national police anti-money laundering division, following the discovery of €20 million in cash hidden inside his residence. The arrest is part of an extensive investigation into the country’s largest-ever cocaine bust.
Sánchez Gil, who had been responsible for overseeing anti-fraud efforts within Spain’s police force, was taken into custody last week, along with 15 other individuals, including his partner, who also worked as a police officer in Madrid. The couple’s home in Alcalá de Henares, a town located around 30 kilometers east of Madrid, was raided by officers. Inside the walls and ceilings of their home, investigators found a staggering sum of €20 million in cash, alongside an additional €1 million stashed away in two locked cupboards in Sánchez Gil’s office.
The couple now faces serious charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption, with both being held in custody following their court appearance in Madrid.
The arrests are connected to the seizure of 13 tonnes of cocaine discovered last month at the southern Spanish port of Algeciras, which had been shipped from Guayaquil, Ecuador – a notorious drug-trafficking hotspot. The cocaine had been concealed inside crates of bananas, destined for a Spanish importer based in the coastal town of Alicante.
This massive bust marks the largest cocaine seizure in Spain’s history and one of the biggest global cocaine interceptions. The authorities’ investigation revealed that Sánchez Gil was involved in the operation for several years, allegedly providing crucial information to drug traffickers about port surveillance, allowing them to bypass security measures and move large quantities of drugs undetected.
During the course of the investigation, Spanish authorities tapped Sánchez Gil’s phone and conducted surveillance, ultimately uncovering his involvement in the illegal operation. While Sánchez Gil’s lifestyle appeared relatively modest, the discovery of large amounts of cash in his home has led some investigators to draw comparisons to notorious drug kingpins like Pablo Escobar. According to reports, Escobar’s nephew once found $18 million hidden in the walls of one of his uncle’s homes.
The money accumulated by Sánchez Gil was reportedly laundered through a combination of cryptocurrency investments and the purchase of private hire vehicles registered under the name of one of his relatives. Spanish media reports suggest that his long involvement in illicit activities helped facilitate the laundering of drug money, further complicating the investigation.
Spain has long been a key entry point for drugs into Europe, owing to its historical connections with Latin American countries like Colombia and Peru, major cocaine producers, as well as its proximity to Morocco, a leading source of cannabis. This arrest underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in combating not only organized crime but also corruption within its own ranks.
The case has sent shockwaves through Spain’s police force, highlighting the alarming extent to which drug cartels and money laundering operations can infiltrate even the highest echelons of law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to probe Sánchez Gil’s alleged role in facilitating drug trafficking operations over the years.
