Joint operation of the Tax Agency, National Police and Civil Guard l

• They contained an amphetamine derivative in their composition and were marketed under the guise of a food supplement.
• A total of 20 people have been arrested, who used social networks and websites to anonymously contact potential clients.
• In the four searches carried out, in addition to narcotic substances, a weapon, more than 500,000 pills and 200,000 euros were seized.

August 6, 2024.- Agents of the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency, in a joint operation with the National Police and Civil Guard, have dismantled an international criminal organization dedicated to the illegal sale of slimming pills containing an amphetamine derivative. The 20 arrested members used social media and websites to contact potential customers and sell the tablets under the guise of a food supplement. More than 500,000 pills and 200,000 euros in cash, as well as a firearm and narcotic substances, were seized in the four raids carried out.

The investigation began in February of this year when the agents were alerted by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products, as they had discovered an amphetamine compound in some slimming pills that could cause a serious risk to health. The agents also detected the existence of several complaints filed by different people who had suffered health problems due to the consumption of these pills.

Police investigations allowed investigators to gain in-depth knowledge of the organization's operations, and also to identify all of its members. They also found out that the members used social media and websites to contact potential customers. Under the protection of anonymity, they provided false information to hinder possible police action.

They used a cosmetic clinic as their operations center

After identifying the alleged perpetrator, the agents located the place that served as the network's operations center, which was a beauty clinic. From there they communicated with the pill manufacturers, who were located in Türkiye. They then provided them with information about people linked to the criminal organisation who were responsible for acquiring and distributing the pills.

As the investigation progressed, the agents seized four suitcases at Adolfo Suárez – Madrid Barajas Airport containing more than 120 kilograms of cosmetic products, including slimming pills.

In addition, one of the leaders of the organization reported that some of the members, through the Nazarene scam, had left her with a debt of 460,000 euros in the purchase of cosmetic products. The agents were thus able to confirm the relationship between the leader and the rest of the members of the organisation, as well as the subsequent split of the network due to these events.

The network in Malaga, Granada and Madrid has been dismantled

Finally, after identifying the structure of the organisation and considering the serious risk it posed to the health of potential consumers, the agents completed the investigation by carrying out four searches in the provinces of Malaga, Granada and Madrid. Almost 10 kilograms of narcotic substances, a firearm, more than 500,000 pills, a high-end vehicle and 200,000 euros were seized. In addition, the agents blocked 9 bank accounts and arrested 20 people, who were placed at the disposal of the judicial authority as alleged perpetrators of crimes against public health, against consumers, money laundering, fraud and membership in a criminal organization.