Mallorca Drug Trafficking Network Sentenced for Smuggling Cocaine in Wheelchairs
Palma Provincial Court where the sentencing occurred | Credit: Majorca Daily Bulletin
Reduced Sentences in Major Narcotics Case
A group of twelve individuals admitted guilt on Monday before Palma’s Provincial Court for operating an international drug trafficking operation that smuggled cocaine and marijuana from Peru to Mallorca concealed in wheelchair frames. The defendants accepted prison sentences ranging from eighteen months to five years for drug trafficking offenses and participation in a criminal organization.
Through negotiated agreements with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the defendants avoided the original collective sentence request totaling approximately 100 years. Most convicted individuals will serve non-custodial sentences, though two members received substantial fines of €215,000 and €126,000 respectively. Court documents reveal this outcome followed careful review of individual involvement levels within the criminal structure.
Operation Details and Modus Operandi
According to judicial evidence presented between April 2023 and July 2024, the organization primarily shipped narcotics from Lima, Peru, using human couriers who concealed drugs in modified wheelchair components. Upon arrival in Mallorca, the substances were distributed through local networks catering to tourist and residential markets.
The National Police’s Organized Crime Unit confirmed the group had specialized roles:
- Coordinators arranging Latin American shipments
- Local handlers managing Mallorca storage facilities
- Distributors supplying street-level dealers
Leadership Still at Large
Investigators identified a primary organizer who remains fugitive from Spanish authorities. Police reports indicate this individual coordinated multiple trafficking routes from South America while maintaining operational distance from daily activities.
During coordinated raids in 2024, authorities seized narcotics valued at over £344,000 (approximately €400,000) from Palma safe houses. Forensic analysis confirmed the substances included high-purity cocaine and hydroponic marijuana.
Legal Context and Enforcement
Spain’s National Police emphasizes that wheelchair smuggling represents an emerging trend in narcotics trafficking, exploiting mobility aid protections under international transport regulations. This case marks the third major wheelchair-related drug interdiction in the Balearic Islands since 2022 according to Guardia Civil statistics.
The Balearic High Court of Justice maintains strict sentencing guidelines for organized drug crimes, typically ranging from three to nine years for principal operators. The reduced sentences in this case reflect the defendants’ cooperation and absence of prior convictions.
For complete trial details and official court records, see the original report: Majorca Daily Bulletin Coverage
Images Credit: www.majorcadailybulletin.com