June 21 - Drugs Sentencing: Five And Six Year Terms For Four Spanish Nationals
Four Spanish nationals have today been sentenced to five and six years imprisonment in the Supreme Court.
Their arrest took place in the afternoon of the 2nd of June 2013 following the interception of the vessel they were in by officers of the Royal Gibraltar Police’s Marine Unit assisted by the Gibraltar Defence Police. The vessel was found to be carrying 500kg of Cannabis Resin (see left).
The four individuals are:
1. Juan Diego TABARES GARCIA of Algeciras, Spain, aged 29. He was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, 3 years imprisonment for importing a prohibited import, both to be served concurrently. In addition he was sentenced to a further year’s imprisonment for operating a fast launch bringing the total to 6 years of imprisonment. He also received 4 months imprisonment also to be served concurrently for obstructing police. He received no separate penalty for being a “Dangerous User”
2. Juan Luis GALIANO GARCIA of Algeciras, Spain, aged 29. He was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, 3 years imprisonment for importing a prohibited import both to be served concurrently. In addition he was sentenced to a further year’s imprisonment for operating a fast launch bringing the total to 6 years of imprisonment.
3. Zacaria BEN HAKKA ABDELA of Ceuta, Spain, aged 19. He was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, 3 years imprisonment for importing a prohibited import both to be served concurrently. He further received 4 months imprisonment also to be served concurrently for obstructing police.
4. Samuel BUENO BALLESTERO of San Roque, Spain, aged 34. He was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, 3 years imprisonment for importing a prohibited import both to be served concurrently.All four men were additionally fined £250 or alternatively 3 months imprisonment for jettisoning cargo. They received no separate penalty for the charge of possession of a controlled drug.
