Operation Jable 2nd phase: Civil Guard statement

The Civil Guard in the second phase of Operation JABLE, has arrested a total of seven people on the islands of Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, as well as in Almería, as alleged perpetrators of bribery, influence peddling...

April 24 2010 (12:38 WEST)

The Civil Guard in the second phase of Operation JABLE has arrested a total of seven people on the islands of Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, as well as in Almería, as alleged perpetrators of bribery, influence peddling, forgery of public documents, asset stripping and money laundering.

Among those arrested are an official from the Island Council of Lanzarote, a businessman from Almería, a lawyer, and a former Councillor of the Arrecife Town Hall.

Several searches have also been carried out at the homes of the detainees, with abundant documentation being seized, both in computer and paper form, which is being analysed by the investigators.

This phase of the investigation has focused mainly on two plots. One of them, related to the alleged crimes of asset stripping and money laundering, was directed by a former senior public official in collusion with several of the businessmen arrested.

The investigation has revealed that, through an important business network and using several people acting as front men, one person concealed the ownership of his assets so that they could not be seized by the Administration of Justice.

Another of the plots is related to alleged payments, which with funds from a consistory of Lanzarote and public companies, were made to one of the detainees for services not provided. Another former public official exerted influence over the officials to make these payments effective.

The operation is being carried out by agents of the Urban Crime Group of the Central Operative Unit of the Civil Guard, under the direction of the Court of Instruction no. CINCO of Arrecife and the Public Prosecutor's Office for the Environment and Town Planning.

The Organised Crime Team (ECO) of the Civil Guard of the Canary Islands has also participated, together with the territorial units of the Civil Guard in this area.

The investigation, which is under seal, remains open.

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