Former UDEF chief Óscar Sánchez Gil remains in custody

A judge from the Audiencia Nacional has extended the provisional detention of Óscar Sánchez Gil, the former head of Madrid's Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF), for an additional two years. This extension brings his total time in preventive custody to the legal maximum of four years.

Sánchez Gil was arrested in November 2024 after authorities discovered 20 million euros hidden inside a wall at his residence. The investigation was triggered following the seizure of 13 tons of cocaine at the port of Algeciras earlier in 2024.

The former police official faces investigation for crimes including drug trafficking, criminal organization, money laundering, and the disclosure of secrets. The Anti-Drug Prosecutor's Office requested the extension, citing solid evidence of crimes that could carry a sentence of over 20 years. While the defense has requested provisional release, the court noted risks including the severity of the charges and the potential for flight.