01
Arrest & first statements
Assistance during police custody, access to the available proceedings and preparation of the first judicial statement.
LARIOS PENAL
CRIMINAL DEFENCE · DRUG TRAFFICKING
Drug Trafficking Lawyer Málaga Public Health Offences in Málaga Since 1980
Criminal defence in major drug investigations, organised crime proceedings and complex multi-defendant cases.
SPEAK TO THE FIRM
MÁLAGA · MARBELLA · COSTA DEL SOL
INTERNATIONAL DRUG CRIME INVESTIGATIONS
Major investigations require a defence built from the evidence.
Drug trafficking proceedings frequently arise from lengthy police investigations involving surveillance, intercepted communications, searches, seizures and financial enquiries.
The defence requires a precise analysis of what was observed, what was seized, who is alleged to have participated and what evidence actually connects each defendant to the investigated activity.
In major proceedings involving several defendants, the position of each person must be analysed independently. The existence of a wider investigation does not replace the need to establish the alleged participation of each defendant.
CRIMINAL DEFENCE
From the first investigation
to trial and appeal.
to trial and appeal.
WHERE WE INTERVENE
Defence throughout the criminal proceedings.
From police custody and the first judicial decision to the analysis of complex evidence, trial and subsequent appeals.
02
Pre-trial detention
Defence in hearings concerning remand in custody and subsequent applications for release or modification of precautionary measures.
03
Searches & seizures
Review of home and vehicle searches, seized substances, documentation, cash, electronic devices and other evidence.
04
Surveillance & communications
Analysis of telephone interceptions, encrypted communications, police surveillance and evidential attribution.
05
Organised crime
Complex proceedings involving multiple defendants, alleged criminal organisations and investigations across jurisdictions.
06
Trial & appeals
Preparation of oral trial, examination of expert and witness evidence, appeals and subsequent enforcement proceedings.
BUILDING THE DEFENCE
The investigation must be broken down piece by piece.
01
Police surveillance
Dates, movements, identification of individuals and the conclusions drawn from each surveillance operation.
02
Intercepted communications
Attribution, context, interpretation and the relationship between communications and the alleged criminal activity.
03
Forensic evidence
Substance analysis, purity, quantities, expert reports and other technical evidence incorporated into the proceedings.
04
Individual participation
The precise evidence relied upon to attribute a role or specific conduct to each person under investigation.
LARIOS PENAL · SELECTED PROCEEDINGS
Experience in major drug trafficking proceedings.
Selected proceedings in which members of the firm have acted, reflecting experience in complex and international criminal cases.
01 · 2026
CADENA SER
INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING
Balkan Cartel
Investigation concerning interconnected organisations allegedly involved in importing large quantities of cocaine.
02 · 2025
LA SEXTA
CROSS-BORDER DRUG TRAFFICKING
Ceuta–Morocco Drug Tunnel
Investigation concerning clandestine infrastructure allegedly used to introduce large quantities of narcotics into Spain.
03 · 2022
EUROPA SUR
MAJOR TRIAL · DRUG TRAFFICKING
Los Castaña
Major drug-trafficking trial in the Campo de Gibraltar which concluded with the acquittal of sixteen defendants.
INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS
Criminal proceedings in Spain. Coordination across jurisdictions.
Larios Penal represents foreign clients investigated or prosecuted in Spain and can coordinate the Spanish criminal defence with lawyers acting for the client in other jurisdictions.
Where a case has an international dimension, decisions taken in Spain may need to be considered alongside proceedings abroad, extradition, European Arrest Warrant matters or related investigations.
LARIOS PENAL · INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE →
1980
LARIOS PENAL
More than four decades dedicated to Criminal Law.
Larios Penal was founded in Málaga in 1980. The firm continues today under the direction of Eric Vanden Berghe, maintaining a practice focused on criminal defence and complex criminal proceedings.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Drug trafficking proceedings in Spain.
The first decisions in a serious criminal investigation can affect the development of the entire proceedings.
SPEAK TO THE FIRM →01 What should I do if I am arrested for drug trafficking in Málaga?
Legal assistance should be obtained immediately. The circumstances of the arrest, the alleged role of the suspect, the available proceedings and the investigative measures already carried out should be reviewed before deciding how to approach the first judicial stages of the case.
02 Can I be remanded in custody during the investigation?
Pre-trial detention may be considered in serious criminal proceedings when the legal requirements are met. The defence must address both the evidence relied upon and the circumstances invoked to justify the requested precautionary measure.
03 How important are telephone interceptions and police surveillance?
They can form an important part of the prosecution case. Their significance depends on attribution, context, interpretation and the relationship between each communication or observation and the alleged criminal conduct.
04 Do you act in organised crime and multi-defendant proceedings?
Yes. Larios Penal acts in complex criminal proceedings involving multiple defendants, extensive police investigations, intercepted communications, searches, expert evidence and allegations of organised criminal activity.
05 Can you represent a foreign national investigated in Spain?
Yes. The firm regularly represents international clients and can coordinate the criminal defence in Spain with lawyers acting for the client in another jurisdiction when necessary.
LARIOS PENAL · MÁLAGA
Specialist criminal defence when the case requires it.
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