Tenerife Police Arrest Cannabis Association Head in Public Health Bust

Police in Puerto de la Cruz have arrested the head of a cannabis association, accusing him of a crime against public health. This operation, detailed by the provincial police, once again highlights the often-confusing legal situation for such groups in Spain. These associations frequently come under investigation for straying from their original goals.

The investigation lasted several months and focused on the association's activities. Police believed the group was operating in a way that didn't fit the rules for cannabis consumer associations. A key part of the inquiry was the alleged recruitment of new members through online platforms. This practice is strictly forbidden because it's seen as promoting drug use, similar to drug trafficking. Once contacted online, people could register as members at the premises and immediately get the substance.

Based on the evidence collected, police obtained a court order to search the home and premises of the main suspect, who was the association's secretary and manager. During the raid, they arrested this individual and seized various items: 380 grams of marijuana, three grams of hashish, 62 grams of pollen, 0.3 grams of cocaine, 399 euros in cash, and a greenhouse used for growing plants inside the premises.

This police action emphasizes the authorities' view that simply calling oneself a cannabis association doesn't automatically make its operations legal. Any move towards selling substances, actively promoting them, recruiting members indiscriminately, or operating for profit can turn an initially tolerated activity into a criminal offense against public health. This goes against the core idea that these groups are for shared consumption in a private, closed environment.