The magistrate of the National Court, Francisco de Jorge Mesas, has summoned the former head of the Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) of the National Police, Óscar Sánchez, to testify as a defendant next May 19 via videoconference. The decision marks a key advance in an investigation that has uncovered an alleged corruption scheme linked to drug trafficking.
The change of procedural status occurred on March 9, when the judge suspended an initially voluntary appearance to convert it into an interrogation, the proper procedure for the accused. Sánchez remains in provisional prison since late 2024 and his defense requested more time to prepare his statement after this new judicial situation.
According to the indictment order, the former head of the UDEF would have collaborated with a criminal organization making inquiries in police databases to detect ongoing investigations. This privileged access would have allowed him to alert the members of the network and protect their illicit activities, becoming, according to the judge, a “minefield” to anticipate possible police actions.
The investigation also points to the existence of a complex system for concealing profits, based on the creation of companies, corporations, and the use of crypto assets to channel the alleged commissions. Part of that money, at least 20 million euros, was found walled up in a dwelling.
The case took a turn in October 2024 after the seizure of 13 tons of cocaine in the port of Algeciras, the largest haul seized in Spain. The case was subsequently expanded with the prosecution of Ignacio Torán, considered by investigators as the alleged leader of the organization and main link with Sánchez.
The proceedings indicate that the former police chief would have participated in the introduction of at least 39 containers with about 73 tons of cocaine, of which only two were intercepted. For these services, he would have received more than 32 million euros, which places the case as one of the biggest police corruption scandals linked to drug trafficking in Spain.
