The owners and waitress at a hotel in Gallarta have been arrested for drug trafficking

The owners of a hotel in Gallarta and a waitress have been arrested by the Civil Guard in an anti-drug operation in Bizkaia and Cantabria involving more than 411,000 euros in drugs.

As reported this Friday by the Civil Guard, the arrests took place within the framework of the so-called 'Operation Galcos', which took place in late February following an investigation into drug trafficking in Castro Urdiales (Cantabria).

Following the indications of this investigation, the Civil Guard officers went as far as the sale of narcotics (mainly cocaine) to a local hotel in Gallarta. 

In the course of these investigations, the officers found that the owners had a history of drug trafficking and found that the premises had few but very loyal customers. The clients were largely from Cantabria and Bizkaia, and related to drug use or trafficking. The agents noticed that these customers spent very little time in the premises, and sometimes left without consuming anything.

In addition, the researchers found that the couple had assets that did not correspond to their work activity, since they owned six properties. 

After the evidence gathered, the officers arrested the couple in charge of the establishment and the bar waiter on 1 July, and a few days later searched several houses and the local hotel in Gallarta.

Housing records found nearly 200 grams of cocaine, doses of MDMA, hashish balls and tablets, tools needed to weigh and dose the drug, and two high-end vehicles.

Some of the cocaine doses were found in the premises, hidden in a bottle of soda which appeared to be full and closed. But once the sheet was removed, they found it was cocaine doses prepared to distribute what was inside.

In the searches carried out, the agents found more than 411,000 euros, of which almost 124,000 euros were found in homes (most of that money in the same package along with the drug) and 288,050 euros were found in a bank safe.

Those arrested are charged with drug trafficking and money laundering offences. The Civil Guard has also requested the judicial blocking of seven properties and five bank accounts.