Madrid
Local Police Chief and 26 Municipal Police arrested in Coslada
By h.b. - May 9, 2008 - 7:16 AM
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The National Police yesterday carried out raids against the Municipal Police force in the Madrid town of Coslada, and arrested the Chief of the local police Ginés Jiménez Buendía. 26 additional municipal policemen were arrested in the operation accused of taking part in the extortion of bars, shops and prostitutes in the town.
Searches were carried out in both the Coslada police station and the homes of the police chief, and some of the others arrested, including the Mayor’s chauffer and bodyguard.
El Mundo reports that the National Police has been investigating the town for several months, and this latest operation is the second stage of a case which started with investigations into a Romanian mafia linked to prostitution. There are reports of telephone taps being used to confirm the criminal activity.
The Councillor for Safety in Coslada Town Hall, Antonio Murillo, is now trying to reorganise the remaining 159 police who remain.
The Regional Madrid Government is to ask for ‘an urgent explanation’ from the Mayor of Coslada, Ángel Viveros Gutiérrez.
Newspapers today have more revelations on the case, with 20 minutos reporting that the corrupt police collected from the prostitutes in money or in orgies. Many local people gathered outside the Coslada police station in protest yesterday and say the existence of the corruption was well known among the local population.