The Balearic Provincial Court has imposed a sentence on a British citizen for a drug trafficking offence after he was intercepted at Ibiza airport while transporting MDMA, ketamine and cocaine. The case, which dates back to 13 August 2022, concludes with a sentence that replaces the prison sentence with expulsion from Spanish territory for six years, according to judicial sources consulted.
According to the court ruling, the passenger was travelling from Manchester and was intercepted when he attempted to dispose of several narcotic substances at the airport security checkpoint. Two members of the Guardia Civil seized two bags containing 15 MDMA tablets each, 3,326 grams of cocaine with a purity of 75.26% and 3,899 grams of ketamine with a purity of 78.36%, with the intention of selling them on the island, which would have an approximate value of €776.87 on the illicit market.
The court has considered the facts proven and, in agreement with the defence, has ruled that the convicted person, in addition to being expelled from Spain for six years, must pay a fine of €800 and bear the costs of the proceedings. As stated in the ruling, these acts are considered to constitute a crime against public health under Article 368 of the Criminal Code.
- Public vs. Private: Possession of drugs for personal use in private settings is often a civil offense or decriminalized, but public possession is a criminal offense.
- Trafficking: Drug trafficking and dealing are serious crimes that carry severe penalties, including significant fines and imprisonment.
- Cannabis Clubs: Social cannabis clubs operate under specific, strict membership protocols, but recreational cannabis use is otherwise illegal for tourists and the general public. Tourists cannot legally bring cannabis into Palma.
- Enforcement: Police and the Guardia Civil in Mallorca frequently conduct major operations and raids to combat drug trafficking, particularly in known areas like the Son Banya shanty town, sometimes referred to as a "drugs supermarket".
- Growing Problem: Drug use remains a growing public health issue in the Balearic Islands. Alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis were the substances most frequently linked to treatment admissions and hospital emergencies in 2023.
- Commonly Involved Drugs: Cocaine and alcohol are frequently involved in both emergency cases and drug-related deaths.
- Adhere to Laws: Visitors are strongly advised to adhere strictly to all local laws to avoid complications. Penalties can be severe.
- Safety: While Mallorca is generally considered safe for tourists, exercise vigilance in crowded areas and be aware that public intoxication and drug use can occur in some areas, such as parts of Playa de Palma.
- Treatment Resources: For information on addiction and treatment services in the Balearic Islands, you can refer to the regional plan for addictions and drug dependencies (PADIB)