Police raid town halls and company offices in Fuerteventura corruption investigation
A major anti-corruption operation has rocked the island of Fuerteventura this week, as Spanish police investigate a suspected network of irregular public contract awards worth over €1 million.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Odin, led to three arrests on Thursday and a series of coordinated raids across the island, targeting homes, town halls, and company offices.
Among those detained is Peña Armas, former third deputy mayor and councillor for public procurement in Puerto del Rosario, representing the political party Fuerteventura Avanza. Also arrested was José Luis Espinel, a municipal technical architect, while other individuals under investigation include local business owners, a relative of Armas, and two former councillors from the municipality of Antigua.
Allegations of Favouritism and Conflict of Interest
The case centres around 36 minor public contracts awarded between 2021 and 2023, with a combined value exceeding €1 million. These contracts, which are designed for quick, low-cost procurement, are alleged to have been granted without proper competitive processes. Investigators suspect a pattern of favouritism, with contracts going to companies with personal or political ties to local government officials.
The National Police’s Economic and Financial Crime Unit (UDEF) is leading the investigation, under the supervision of the Puerto del Rosario Investigating Court No. 3. The case remains under judicial secrecy, but further legal action is expected, including court summons, precautionary measures, and possibly an expanded list of accused individuals.
Operation Originated from an Internal Complaint
The origins of the probe lie in a complaint filed by Podemos in Puerto del Rosario during the 2019–2023 legislative period. The left-wing party presented evidence and witness statements to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, suggesting repeated irregularities in how contracts were awarded to companies closely linked to public officials.
This led to the formal launch of Operation Odin, with the judiciary initiating a wide-ranging investigation into potential offences including misconduct in public office, influence peddling, embezzlement, and fraud.
Silence from Town Halls
So far, both the Puerto del Rosario and Antigua town halls have remained silent on the matter. However, sources have confirmed that municipal offices in both towns were searched as part of Thursday’s police operation.
The unfolding scandal has raised serious questions about procurement practices across several Fuerteventura municipalities, highlighting a need for greater transparency and accountability in local government.
Peña Armas in the Spotlight
The arrest of Peña Armas marks a dramatic turn in her already controversial political career. After previous stints with the Partido Popular and Ciudadanos, she went on to found and lead Fuerteventura Avanza, maintaining a high public profile.
Her career, however, has been marred by internal party conflicts, disciplinary sanctions, and accusations of workplace intimidation. Until now, she had never faced criminal charges, making her arrest a significant moment in both her personal and political trajectory.
One of the Island’s Largest Scandals in a Decade
With its scope and political implications, Operation Odin is shaping up to be one of the most serious corruption cases on Fuerteventura in recent years. The alleged misuse of “minor contract” procedures, meant for urgent or low-value needs, has triggered concerns over the integrity of public administration on the island.
The coming days are expected to shed more light on the scale of the alleged network, additional names involved, and the potential fallout for Fuerteventura’s political landscape. All developments remain under close scrutiny by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and the judicial authorities.
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