Mossos officers accused of planting drugs and weapons in a Barcelona dockworker’s car have categorically denied all allegations during their trial at the city’s Audiencia court.
The two officers, stationed at Sant Martí police station, faced questioning this Wednesday alongside two other men over claims they framed the port worker for drug trafficking in June 2016.
Mossos Officers Present Their Defence
One officer explained he previously worked as port police before joining the Mossos but insisted he had no familiarity with dockworkers or the port environment.
Furthermore, he challenged prosecution claims about police database searches conducted on March 18, 2016, stating he worked morning shift that day and logged off at 13:54.
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The officer also noted the sub-inspector’s login credentials were widely known throughout the unit and among administrative staff.
Meanwhile, the defence presented photographic evidence referenced by witnesses from Public Health and the Narcotics Unit. This image allegedly showed informants identifying officers with nicknames ‘Pep’ and ‘Godzilla’ as collaborators with a criminal organisation stealing drugs. However, one accused officer wasn’t in the photograph because he was abroad at the time.
The second officer, with 31 years of service, similarly denied any involvement in gathering or planting the weapons and drugs. He described responding to a tip-off about drugs in a vehicle as routine procedure conducted with complete normality.
Witness Testimony and Psychological Impact
Both officers rejected using the nicknames ‘Pep’ and ‘Godzilla’ and denied knowing either the victim or ‘Bubito’, a dockworker murdered in November 2024 who was identified as instigating the alleged setup. One officer emotionally described the experience as a nightmare, stating he still doesn’t understand why he’s facing trial.
The other two accused men, uncle and nephew, also denied planting the drugs at the officers’ request. The uncle contradicted witness statements from his nephew’s former business partner, while the nephew suggested his ex-partner provided false testimony due to business disputes.
A psychiatrist treating the dockworker testified about the severe psychological impact, describing extreme anxiety and distress stemming from the alleged incident. The specialist noted the victim lives in constant fear for his life, believes he’s under electronic surveillance, and has become isolated from his close relationships.
This case follows other high-profile legal proceedings involving serious allegations against law enforcement personnel in Barcelona.
Prosecution Seeks Significant Sentences
The public prosecutor maintains sentencing requests totalling 18 years and 9 months imprisonment for the two Mossos officers. For the other two accused men, they seek 14-year prison terms. Specific charges include crimes against public health, illegal weapons possession, unlawful detention, and misuse of office.
Additionally, the prosecution demands €15,000 compensation for moral damages suffered by the dockworker, plus reimbursement for psychiatric treatment costs and vehicle impound fees. The two Mossos officers were suspended without pay for four years during the investigation, with the prosecutor requesting the Generalitat assume subsidiary responsibility.
This case highlights ongoing scrutiny of police practices in Barcelona, particularly following recent controversies surrounding law enforcement operations in the city.
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