Three police officers, including a retired chief inspector, have been arrested in Tenerife as part of a major investigation into drug trafficking and corruption in the Canary Islands.
Eight people in total were detained during the operation, which was carried out by the National Police and led by the force’s Internal Affairs department. The investigation, which is being directed by a court in Arona, remains under a strict confidentiality order.
One of those arrested is Francisco Moar, a retired chief inspector who once led the early stages of the high-profile Mediator corruption case. Moar had served as head of the Provincial Brigade of the Judicial Police in Santa Cruz de Tenerife before retiring.
He was removed from the Mediator investigation after reporting that several mobile phones containing key evidence had been stolen. His dismissal was ordered by the then-provincial police commissioner, Luis Felipe San Martín, who has since been suspended over an unrelated allegation of domestic violence. The accusation came from a fellow officer who reportedly discovered a video of the alleged incident on a USB stick.
The latest arrests come as part of a wider probe into organised crime networks operating in the region. Alleged offences include drug trafficking, money laundering, bribery, and falsification of official documents.
Of the three officers now facing charges, one is still serving in the force, while the others – including Moar – are retired. Police have not ruled out further arrests as the investigation continues.
Authorities have not released further details, citing the ongoing nature of the judicial inquiry.
