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The home of one Spain’s top police officers was found to be stuffed full of cash and expensive goods.
When officers from Spain’s Internal Affairs Unit raided the Madrid residence of former police chief Oscar Sanchez Gil in November last year, they were shocked by what they discovered.
Over €20 million in cash was hidden throughout the Villalbilla property in the walls and ceilings, as well as sports bags, safes, shoe boxes, and even a flower pot.
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Another €1 million was found locked in two cupboards at his office, stored in bank notes ranging from €50 to €500
Sanchez, a former high-ranking police officer who now resides in Madrid’s Estremera jail, had a remarkable double life. He was both a drug dealer and a highly-ranking policeman.
The number of tonnes of drugs that he brought into Spain through his position at the top of the Policia Nacional is unknown.
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The opulence was such that they had to vacuum-seal the money into bundles that contained €500 bills – which that stopped being issued in 2018.
His partner, Ignacio Toran – nicknamed ‘Mr. Gucci’ because he was never seen without the brand – was found at his home with several Rolex watches, but no cash. He liked expensive alcohol.
Sanchez was monitored by his colleagues for 11 months while he carried on with a Breaking Bad style life.
The investigation intensified with 24 days of frantic phone tapping following the October 14 seizure of 13 tonnes of cocaine at Algeciras Port – the largest drug haul in Spanish history.
“I didn’t even know it was scheduled for inspection,” Sánchez complained during a phone call to a customs surveillance agent after learning about the cocaine seizure.
Sources close to the investigation told El Independiente that Sánchez was furious that no one had entered the container details into police coordination systems, which would have allowed him to alert his criminal associates.
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The level of infiltration that Sanchez had achieved within police structures is ‘truly concerning,’ according to investigators.
After being promoted to chief Inspector, the former head of Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit UDEF (UDEF), had left the Drugs and Organized Crime Unit UDYCO (UDEF), in 2020.
Internal Affairs tracks companies in Poland, Switzerland, Panama, and other countries.
One of those arrested included a prominent lawyer from Madrid’s Salamanca district, who was accused of helping to create the financial infrastructure that facilitated money laundering.
Authorities are still uncertain when Sánchez began his criminal activities.
One theory is that it was as early 2016 when he added one of his main narco associates to the police informant list.
Some point out 2021 as a time when a major drug cartel fled Spain after being tipped off about the planned seizure one tonne drugs.
The investigation revealed that Sánchez was charging a 40% commission on cocaine shipments entering Spanish ports with his assistance.
Court documents show he received regular payments from a company called Incazam Gestión S.L., controlled by Ignacio Torán, one of the criminal organization’s leaders in Madrid and Sánchez’s main contact.
Investigators observed how Sánchez searched for 550 containers in a short period and entered names of his associates or companies in which he had interests into the GATI database (a police coordination system) to check if they were being investigated.
“Yes, I did but withheld my consent.” Just accounts. They think he’s loaded because of travels and stuff,” Sánchez told Torán in a monitored conversation about a potential investigation into their operations.
Former police chief caught officers spying on him repeatedly and checked vehicle registration details using Interior Ministry systems. He believed his actions were unnoticed.
Authorities continue to look for assets. According to reports, many drug profits have been invested in cryptocurrency.
When arrested, Sánchez refused to unlock his phone to call his lawyer.
Investigations also focused on his police officer wife and his sister-in law Yolanda, who had a bank account that was overflowing despite the fact she rarely left home to work.
Sources close to the investigation indicate authorities are still pursuing the “big game” – Alejandro Salgado Vega, alias “El Tigre,” one of Madrid’s most important drug traffickers currently based in Dubai.
Others claim that he was the one who provided the tip leading to the investigation.
Investigators are expected to make more arrests as they unravel the network of shell firms, front men and money launderers.
Sources close to the investigation said that the work done by Internal Affairs and UDYCO in arresting their colleague was tremendous. “But the evidence clearly shows we need more resources to fight drugs.”
