A ship with cocaine was detained in the Canary Islands: Operation "Silbo" exposed a drug trafficking network linked to a Mexican cartel.

A ship with cocaine was detained near the Canary Islands, which marked the beginning of Operation "Silbo." It unfolded in Tenerife, La Gomera, and Galicia, involving agents from the Civil Guard and the Tax Agency, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to sources, a Mexican cartel is behind the drug shipment.

Yesterday, about ten people were detained in Tenerife, La Gomera, and Galicia on suspicion of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Among those detained are hotel business owner Klender Javier Chinea Chinea, a lawyer, a tax consultant, family members of the entrepreneur, and other individuals who likely knew about the illegal activities.

Agents who arrived from mainland Spain, including Madrid, conducted searches in homes, offices, and businesses linked to the hotel owner. The searches took place on Valle Inclán Street, Calderón de la Barca Street, Buenos Aires Avenue, Anaga Avenue, Los Gladiolos, Las Caletillas, and San Sebastián de La Gomera, as well as at one location in Galicia.

During the searches, many documents and other items related to the crimes were seized, and the suspects were detained.

Chinea owns or manages restaurants and entertainment venues such as La Santa, Los Paragüitas (both in the Anaga Avenue area), and Riela Social Club in Las Caletillas. These establishments are part of the company Rua 21 Restaurants SL. He is also an administrator in other companies, such as Kine Centro de Entrenamiento SL, Kine Dynamics SL, Autos Ruedacar Gomera SL, and SilboCar Macaronesia SL. In addition, he has been buying real estate and apartments for rent.

The businessman has been under surveillance for a long time and was involved in other investigations, but there was not enough evidence for charges. The investigation is ongoing, and the detainees are scheduled to appear in court tomorrow, Friday.