Lawyer Gonzalo Márquez and the leader of the United Tribuns biker gang, Stefan Milojevic, were remanded in custody by a court in Palma on Wednesday, accused of being the leaders of a "criminal structure" engaged in drugs trafficking and money laundering.
Guardia Civil and National Police investigators point to a criminal organisation akin to a Sicilian mafia that operated across Europe. Wiretaps indicate that their aim was "to flood the Balearic Islands with drugs and launder the profits obtained from this activity through a network of companies designed by Gonzalo Márquez".
Raids in various parts of Mallorca on Monday followed the interception of 675 kilos of cocaine in Valencia on July 9. The consignment originated in Ibiza. Sources close to the investigation suggest that the gang's power in the European market was such that they were capable of achieving what few have been able to do. "The drugs arrived here in Mallorca and were then distributed to the rest of the country and throughout Europe."
Searches of properties on Monday are understood to have led to the seizure of more than one million euros from the home of one of those arrested as well as quantities of cocaine (about ten kilos) and hashish, plus three firearms.
Milojevic has been charged with drugs trafficking, membership of a criminal organisation, money laundering, identity theft, illegal possession of weapons, and bribery. The same charges apply to Márquez, except those related to weapons and identity theft.
In all, nine people were ordered to prison on Wednesday. The National Police inspector, Faustino Nogales, appeared in court on Thursday. He is understood to have featured in wiretaps over the past couple of years. He left the Narcotics Squad four years ago. He is apparently not linked to drugs trafficking and money laundering but is believed to have been charged with providing information (his case is under secrecy). He was also ordered to be held on remand.