John Gilligan: Spanish Drugs Raid Reveals Massive Cocaine Lab
The head of the Spanish drugs squad, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the nature of his work, claims that notorious Dublin gangster John Gilligan “likes what he does.”
The Irish criminal’s gaff in Spain was raided in December, with cops uncovering a massive drugs lab as he slept. The raid resulted in the arrest of Gilligan and the seizure of large quantities of a highly toxic form of cocaine known as pink cocaine, or tusi.
Credit: Solarpix
Gilligan’s Legal History and Plea Bargain
Gilligan, aged 72, was given a 22-month suspended prison sentence in September 2023. He admitted to running a cannabis and sleeping pill smuggling operation between Spain and Ireland. Additionally, he was convicted in October 2020 for the illegal possession of a gun in Costa Blanca.
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Credit: Crispin Rodwell – The Sun Dublin
Despite these convictions, the Spanish officer believes that Gilligan’s criminal activities may continue. “I’ve read claims he was reoffending because he was down on his luck and needed to make some quick money,” the officer stated. “But I believe he likes what he does, he boasts about his criminal past and his links to the crime world.”
The Raid and Seized Evidence
Spanish police conducted the raid at a property in Torrevieja, on the Costa Blanca, on December 18. The drugs lab found was capable of producing up to €8 million worth of drugs, predominantly toxic pink cocaine. They also discovered a revolver hidden outside the property.
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Credit: Brian Farrell – Independent News and Media/Getty Images
The law enforcement revealed that Gilligan has not confessed to being the owner of the revolver. Police believe he could have been using it as a backup weapon, hidden in case of an emergency. “He hasn’t confessed to being the owner but we think he could have been using it as a substitute gun and keeping it there in case of some emergency,” said the top cop.
Production Potential
During the raid, 16 kilograms of pink cocaine, or tusi, were seized in addition to 2.5 kilograms of cocaine. The operation had the potential to produce between 300 and 600 kilograms of drugs. “With the substances seized in the lab, it’s estimated that the criminal gang could have produced between 300 and 600 kilograms of drugs,” said Spanish cops.
