Junta de Andalucía demands reinstatement of OCON-Sur anti-drug unit

The Regional Government of Andalusia (Junta de Andalucía) has issued a formal request to the Spanish central government to reinstate OCON-Sur, an elite Guardia Civil unit specialized in combating drug trafficking. This move follows a previous unsuccessful letter sent by President Juanma Moreno to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

During a Government Council meeting, spokesperson Carolina España emphasized the urgent need to increase security in the Strait of Gibraltar, where organized crime and drug trafficking activities have become increasingly violent. The regional government is also calling for the creation of specialized judicial bodies to handle organized crime and narcotics, a measure previously suggested by the Special Anti-Drug Prosecutor's Office, the Cádiz Prosecutor's Office, and the High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA).

OCON-Sur was previously dismantled by the Ministry of the Interior following complaints against its leadership. The Junta is now advocating for the unit to be restored with a permanent organic structure, a single command, and sufficient human and material resources to effectively coordinate anti-narcotics operations.