At first glance, Clender Chinea’s life in Tenerife seemed unremarkable. He ran cafés, restaurants, and even owned a pharmacy and a private school. However, behind the facade of a successful businessman lay one of the Canary Islands’ most extensive criminal networks. In September 2025, police launched a large-scale operation that shocked not only the local community but all of Spain.
Chinea, now 42, spent years building his empire, using legitimate companies to launder profits from drug trafficking. His interests spanned not only traditional sectors like real estate and restaurants, but also less expected ones such as a pharmacy and an educational institution. These businesses were registered to relatives, but in reality he managed them personally. Large sums moved through these enterprises, the origins of which are now under investigation.
Investigators found that Chinea’s organization used a full range of modern tactics: transporting drugs in shipping containers, transferring loads from ships to speedboats, and hiding contraband in cars. The scope of their operations was vast: the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, the United Kingdom, and South American countries. During searches, police seized over two tons of cocaine, weapons, hundreds of thousands of euros in cash, vehicles, and yachts. In total, 34 people were detained, including lawyers, accountants, and even former military personnel.
Investigators paid special attention to Chinea’s business structure. Until 2020, he preferred to invest in real estate, registering properties in his own name or under front persons. Later, he began creating new companies to legalize income and complicate detection by law enforcement. His businesses not only generated profits but also served as a cover for drug transportation. For example, a fishing company on the islands regularly received large shipments of illegal substances, and rented vehicles were found to contain hidden compartments with cocaine.
Chinea’s network had branches on other islands of the archipelago and in major Spanish cities, and also maintained ties with international partners. Among those detained were both family members and professional intermediaries. According to investigators, some of them were involved not only in logistics but also in providing armed support for deals, including extortion and kidnappings.
The investigation began after the discovery of a clandestine cocaine laboratory—an extremely rare occurrence for the Canary Islands. It was soon revealed that Chinea was behind it. Over the course of a year, police uncovered several major drug shipments from South America and also identified routes for hashish smuggling from Morocco to the United Kingdom via Spain. Despite the arrests, some members of the network remain at large, and the investigation continues.
