Police Arrest Man With Large Stash of Synthetic Drugs at Tenerife Music Festival
Authorities in Tenerife have tightened security at major music events following the arrest of a man attempting to traffic over 100 grams of synthetic drugs into a festival in Costa Adeje.
Security at major music events in the Canary Islands is under scrutiny again after a police operation in Costa Adeje. Last Saturday, officers arrested an Italian man attempting to bring a large amount of narcotics into a festival attended by nearly 4,000 people.
The operation, carried out by the National Police and the Adeje Local Police canine unit, led to the seizure of over 100 grams of synthetic drugs. Police report that the suspect intended to sell the substances at the event. The confiscated items included 50 grams of MDMA, 20 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of "tusi" (pink cocaine), and 10 grams of ketamine.
This incident highlights the difficulty of securing large-scale events, where entry checkpoints are the main line of defense against drug trafficking. In addition to the arrest, police issued 50 administrative reports for the possession and use of drugs in public areas during the festival.
Health and police officials are increasingly concerned about the rise of synthetic drugs. They warn that substances like "tusi"—which often lack a consistent chemical makeup—pose serious health risks, especially when combined with other drugs like MDMA and ketamine. These dangers have prompted authorities to tighten security screenings at large venues across the south of Tenerife.