Caught on Video: An operation carried out this morning by the Police left about 50 people arrested who are linked to the sale of retail drugs in the tourist areas of Condado and Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
The operation filmed on video, called “Cleaning beaches”, arose as a result of an investigation into confidences and complaints made to the Uniformed.
Police Commissioner Antonio López Figueroa explained that “the individuals were selling marijuana and cocaine, and their main clients were tourists and hotel guests in the area. The detainees are between 17 and 61 years old, including two minors and three women.
He detailed that agents from the Drug Bureau executed some 48 arrest warrants and confiscated 21 motor vehicles.
Meanwhile, he mentioned that the illegal business was lucrative for those involved, since the cost of controlled substances in this area tripled compared to other areas.
He added that although some of the defendants knew each other and carried out some transactions in a coordinated manner, they operated independently.
During the operation, the agents intervened last night with five women who allegedly practiced prostitution in hotels in Condado and Santurce. The crime of prostitution is a less serious one and in the last five years, practically no interventions had been carried out. One of the women was seized with controlled substances.
Among those arrested were hotel employees, taxi drivers and a pharmacy security guard.
Against the defendants, different judges set bail amounting to $2,180,000.
Agents from the Drug Bureau began buying from the sellers in September using undercover agents.
During the arrests this morning several firearms, marijuana and other narcotics had been seized.
Those arrested were taken to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.
For his part, the Secretary of Justice, Domingo Emanuelli Hernández, pointed out that during the course of the operation, the Public Ministry filed a total of 61 charges against all those arrested today for violations of the Controlled Substances Law.
“The strategic work between the Police and the Department of Justice continues to generate results of great impact for the benefit of citizens. These schemes affect the safety of residents and tourists who visit our Island. The participation of prosecutors Héctor Siaca Flores and Begoña De Jesús Meléndez, in the investigative stage during this and other operations reinforces the evidence collection procedure and allows us to present cases. solid standards that meet the rigor and standard required by the courts.”
Watch the video here:
