Police arrest two alleged hired hitmen for the murder of a drug trafficker in Telde after a race-against-the-clock operation.
● Black week in Gran Canaria: 3 murders in 4 days
The National Police have arrested two Colombian men as alleged perpetrators of the shooting death of Josué, known as "El Conejero," a lieutenant of drug trafficker José "El Negro." The incident, which occurred in San José de Las Longueras in Telde, put the rise of organized crime on the island under scrutiny.
The crime occurred last Thursday afternoon, when a man—dressed in dark clothing and riding a motorcycle—approached Josué and shot him five times in the abdomen. The National Police then launched an operation dubbed "Cage" to locate the perpetrators—who fled on a motorcycle toward El Ejido—by reinforcing access controls and analyzing traffic and security cameras.
Less than 48 hours later, the two suspects—allegedly Colombian hitmen hired by a rival clan—were already behind bars. The investigation points to a settling of scores between rival clans: El Conejero had inherited part of the territory controlled by his uncle, "El Negro," who is serving XNUMX years in prison for his involvement in a previous shootout.
According to witness statements reported by the capital's media, the operation was worthy of one of the many Hollywood-style shoots carried out on the island: hooded and armed agents, interceptions, chases, and, finally, an arrest on a central street in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in broad daylight.
This fact, added to the increase in raids such as the recent one 'Operation Black Shadow' The operation against drug trafficking networks in the south and southeast of Gran Canaria highlights a reality that has been ignored for years: this tourist paradise, with its idyllic beaches and dreamy rural routes, has a serious problem with drug trafficking and organized crime; a problem that is increasingly coming to light.
For island residents and visitors, the message is clear: the spread of organized crime on the island is no longer a distant echo fueled by rumors and operating in the shadows; the consequences, such as the shooting in Telde or this broad daylight police operation in the capital, are beginning to have an impact on the daily lives of residents and tourists.
And although the security forces have proven effective in these arrests and in operations to crack down on organized crime on the island, the truth is that the feeling of insecurity in Gran Canaria continues to grow.
