Marijuana seizures in Cartagena lead to smelly complaints from Guardia Civil
Officers report mild intoxication and unpleasant conditions after Tax Agency stores confiscated drugs near their offices
Guardia Civil officers in Cartagena have raised concerns over the smell of marijuana wafting through their offices, following the recent seizures of marijuana plants by Customs. The complaints, which were made by the Guardia Civil's trade union, the AUGC, has pointed out the unpleasant conditions in the building where drug shipments are being stored near their changing rooms.On Tuesday, the AUGC confirmed that several boxes of seized marijuana have been kept in facilities right next to the Guardia Civil's offices. The smell from the plants is reportedly being carried through ventilation systems, which is making things pretty uncomfortable for the officers working in the building. The latest marijuana seizure took place in March, with at least 1,300 confiscated plants now being stored in the facility. The smell of the drugs is said to be so strong that it affects the entire office environment, making it "unpleasant at best and causing mild intoxication in most cases."
Besides the smell, the AUGC has also expressed concerns about the security. They said the storage area, which is quite a distance from Customs offices, lacks proper surveillance. They pointed out that the warehouse is not equipped with security bars, alarms or cameras, and that Customs personnel seem to rely purely on the nearby presence of the Guardia Civil for security.
This issue directly follows a major operation carried out earlier in March, when the National Police, together with Customs Surveillance Officers, dismantled an indoor marijuana plantation in San Pedro del Pinatar. The operation led more than 1,300 marijuana plants being confiscated, which had been discovered in a warehouse in the Las Beatas industrial estate. The authorities also found an elaborate system involving four industrial-grade air conditioning units, 32 fans and numerous lighting fixtures designed to sustain the illegal plantation. They arrested two men on the scene, who were also stealing electricity by fraudulent connections to the local grid.
The suspects are now facing charges related to smuggling, public health violations and electricity fraud. The two men attempted to flee during the arrest, even attacking the officers' vehicles, but were eventually apprehended. The police seized the suspects' van and other equipment connected to the operation, and they were handed over to the San Javier Court of First Instance and Investigation. Authorities have said that the investigation is ongoing, and further arrests cannot be ruled out.
The AUGC has now filed a complaint with the Occupational Risk Prevention Service and the Colonel-in-Chief of the 5th Zone of the Guardia Civil in Murcia. They are asking for the seized drugs to be removed from the current storage area and to be moved to a better and more secure location in the future.
Image: Policía Nacional y Vigilancia Aduanera de la Agencia Tributaria
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