• More than 126 kilos of marijuana buds have been seized and one person has been arrested, accused of crimes of smuggling, against public health and fraud of electricity

April 10, 2026. Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency and National Police officers, with the collaboration of the Local Police of Elche, have dismantled an indoor marijuana cultivation operation in a villa in the town of Elche. In the operation, more than 126 kilos of marijuana buds were seized and one person was arrested, accused of crimes of smuggling, against public health and fraud of electricity.

The operation began due to suspicions of the possible existence of an illegal indoor marijuana plantation, given the strong smell emanating from a villa in the town of Elche.

For this reason, a surveillance operation of the chalet was initiated on March 25. From the start of the surveillance, unusual activity and movements were observed inside the chalet. Furthermore, it was found that the strong smell of marijuana could be perceived from several meters away.

On March 26, a van was observed leaving the chalet and a follow-up was initiated with the support of the Elche Local Police. Subsequently, the vehicle was stopped for identification, but the driver ignored the light and sound signals, and a chase ensued. Subsequently, the van was stopped and the driver was identified. At that moment it was verified that in the back of the van there were a total of 13 raffia bags and seven garbage bags containing marijuana buds, weighing more than 126 kilos of marijuana. The driver was arrested and the drugs were seized.

During the search of the villa, it was verified that a large 'indoor' plantation had been set up in the house with all the equipment intended for hydroponic cultivation. In addition, an illegal connection to the electrical supply was discovered.

The detainee and the seized drugs have been placed at the disposal of the Instruction Section of the Court of First Instance on duty in the town of Elche.