The trial of Joakim Broberg, son-in-law of the mayor of Marbella and former senator for the People's Party, has begun in Spain. He stands accused of belonging to an international drug trafficking network that transported hashish and marijuana from Morocco to Spain, and then on to Sweden. Broberg is being prosecuted alongside 24 other individuals, 11 of whom have reached plea agreements with the public prosecutor specializing in drug enforcement, admitting their involvement with the criminal organization, according to Spain's EFE news agency. The lead investigator testified on Monday before the National Court, stating that Broberg became a suspect after being spotted on a ferry from Tangier in the company of one of the main suspects, who was already under surveillance by Swedish police for drug trafficking activities. Investigators found that Broberg had used encrypted messaging systems (Encrochat) via Dutch SIM cards to communicate with an individual nicknamed «The Green Money Collector», further reinforcing suspicions of his role in coordinating between trafficking networks and distributors. Authorities also uncovered evidence that Broberg had offered drug samples to potential Swedish buyers, while his alleged associate, Roberto Bayona, negotiated with the Moroccan supplier known as «Rubio» and oversaw the delivery of shipments. The prosecutor is seeking an 18-year prison sentence for Broberg, along with a €30 million fine. Broberg was arrested in Brazil in 2021, after evading capture during a major Spanish police operation targeting the network. He was later extradited to Spain to face charges including membership in a criminal organization, drug trafficking, money laundering, and bribery.
