The Second Section of the Provincial Court of Las Palmas suspended this Tuesday the trial against four men accused of introducing more than 1.5 tons of hashish into Gran Canaria. The hearing has been postponed to November 25th at 9:30 AM due to the recusal of one of the magistrates.

The defense for one of the accused filed a recusal against magistrate Pedro Herrera, arguing that his prior involvement in the investigation phase, resolving an appeal regarding the legality of searches, could be considered a 'contamination' of his impartiality. Lawyer Miguel Ángel Pérez Diepa stated that the magistrate had already deliberated on key aspects of the investigation.

Magistrate Herrera himself acknowledged that his actions could be 'contaminated' and announced his abstention. He was part of the tribunal substituting a colleague due to illness. Given this situation, the Court, presided over by magistrate José Luis Goizueta, agreed to the suspension.

According to the Public Prosecutor's indictment, the defendants allegedly organized the maritime transport of a significant quantity of cannabis resin from Morocco to Gran Canaria. The drugs, totaling 1,501 kilos distributed in 75 sacks, were reportedly disembarked at El Juncal beach and moved to a property in Gáldar for subsequent distribution.

Investigations, conducted by the Organized Crime and Anti-Drug Team (EDOA) of the Guardia Civil, led to the seizure of the narcotic substance and the apprehension of two of the individuals as they were leaving the property where it was stored. A mechanical scale was also seized during the search.

The Prosecutor's Office estimates the value of the drugs at over 3.1 million euros on the illicit market and considers the acts to constitute a crime against public health, with aggravating factors of significant importance and extreme gravity due to the use of a vessel. The Public Prosecutor's Office is seeking six years of imprisonment and multi-million euro fines for each defendant.