In the small Andalusian town of Benahavís (Málaga province), known for its prestigious residential complexes and proximity to Marbella, officers from Spain’s National Police have arrested one of Poland’s most dangerous criminals. The man was wanted on charges of murder, drug trafficking, and participation in an organized crime group. His closest associate, who had been hiding in Dénia (Alicante province), was also detained.
Benahavís, with a population of just over 9,000, has long attracted not only tourists but also those seeking privacy and anonymity. Its luxurious villas, mild climate, and convenient transport links to the airport make the area popular among wealthy foreigners. However, these same advantages are exploited by individuals fleeing justice.
The Pole detained in Benahavís had been on the international wanted list for two years. According to law enforcement, he led one of the most violent criminal gangs in Kraków. The group was engaged in trafficking drugs from Spain to Poland and was notorious for its aggressiveness—in the past, its members even attacked Polish border officers. The detainee himself had previously inflicted serious injuries on a law enforcement official and had an extensive criminal record.
Polish police launched an investigation into this group back in 2016. As a result of a large-scale operation in 2022, two major networks involved in transporting marijuana and cocaine in large quantities were dismantled. However, the leader and his closest associate managed to escape and leave the country.
In the spring of 2025, Polish investigators informed their Spanish counterparts that the fugitives might be in Spain. The national police initiated a special operation codenamed “Conde,” during which the main suspect was located in Benahavís. A special unit was deployed for the arrest, including officers from the Kraków police. Two European arrest and extradition warrants were in force against the detainee, accusing him of murder, drug trafficking, and participation in a criminal organization.
Shortly afterward, his accomplice was also arrested while hiding in Dénia—a resort town on the Costa Blanca popular among fugitives. Here, as on the Costa del Sol, criminals often find refuge thanks to a combination of privacy, a high standard of living, and developed infrastructure. A European arrest warrant was also in effect for the second detainee.
Both men are currently in custody in Spain, awaiting a court decision on their extradition to Poland. Their arrest was the result of close cooperation between Spanish and Polish law enforcement agencies, once again demonstrating that Spain’s upscale areas can attract not only tourists but also international criminals.
