A man is facing up to eight years in prison after allegedly attempting to transport large quantities of cocaine, cannabis and MDMA hidden inside boxes of onions and potatoes in Lanzarote.

According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the accused was stopped by police on 27th June 2024 after collecting several boxes from a transport company at the Port of Arrecife. The case is due to be heard on 2nd July by the Second Section of the Provincial Court of Las Palmas sitting in Lanzarote.

Drugs Found During Police Check

Prosecutors allege that at around 8.20am, the suspect collected the boxes before being intercepted by officers at a police checkpoint near the Port of Arrecife roundabout.

A search of the contents reportedly uncovered a substantial quantity of illegal drugs concealed among produce packaging.

According to the prosecution, officers seized:

• 430 blocks of cannabis resin weighing a total of 43 kilograms.
• Eight blocks of cocaine weighing eight kilograms, with a reported purity of 81.55%.
• One package containing 99 grams of MDMA with a purity of 15.2%.
• Seven additional packages containing 698 grams of cocaine with a purity of 70.77%.

The total estimated street value of the drugs has been placed at €372,000.

Prosecutors Seeking Lengthy Prison Sentence

The accused has been held in pre-trial detention since 30th June 2024. The Public Prosecutor is charging him with a serious offence against public health involving drug trafficking on a significant scale.

Prosecutors are seeking:

• Eight years' imprisonment.
• A fine of €800,000.
• Payment of court costs.
• Confiscation and destruction of the drugs seized.

Trial Scheduled for July

The case will be heard before the Provincial Court in Lanzarote next week, where judges will examine the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defence.

As with all criminal proceedings, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.

The case highlights the continued efforts of law enforcement agencies in the Canary Islands to tackle drug trafficking routes operating through the archipelago's ports and transport networks.