Ibiza's authorities have intensified their fight against street-level drug dealing during the 2026 summer season, with the Guardia Civil reporting 140 arrests for drug-trafficking and public-health offences since June 1.

The crackdown has focused particularly on the sale of drugs in nightlife areas and other tourist hotspots, with Guardia Civil officers working alongside local police forces and the Grupo de Reserva y Seguridad (GRS).

140 Arrests Since the Start of June

According to the official summer-season balance released by the Guardia Civil, 140 people have been arrested since June 1 in operations targeting drug trafficking on Ibiza.

The operations are designed particularly to tackle menudeo, the Spanish term for small-scale or street-level drug dealing, in areas where nightlife and tourism create a concentrated demand.

The reinforced deployments involve Guardia Civil units, local police from several municipalities and GRS officers brought in to increase police presence during the busy summer season.

Recent Arrest in Sant Antoni

Among the latest operations was an incident in Sant Antoni de Portmany, where officers arrested a man following a vehicle pursuit.

After stopping the car, officers discovered several bottles of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.

The substance has become an increasing concern in nightlife destinations because of its recreational use, although it is not the same substance as traditional illicit drugs such as cocaine or MDMA.

Suspected Tusi and Ketamine Dealer Arrested in Santa Eulària

Another recent operation took place in Santa Eulària des Riu.

Officers arrested a person after discovering several suspected narcotic substances, including 2C-B, a psychedelic substance that is sometimes marketed illegally as “pink cocaine” or Tusi.

Investigators also determined that the suspect was allegedly involved in the distribution of ketamine in the area.

The case remains subject to the judicial process, and the suspect is considered an alleged offender rather than convicted of the offences.

Fugitives Linked to Major Cocaine Investigation Also Arrested

The summer operation has also resulted in the arrest of several people who had been fugitives since last year.

According to the Guardia Civil, they were connected to a major criminal investigation in which authorities seized more than 1,500 kilograms of cocaine.

That earlier operation was one of the major drug-trafficking investigations carried out on Ibiza, targeting an organised criminal network operating on the island.

The 2026 arrests therefore extend beyond street-level dealing and include people allegedly connected to a much larger trafficking structure.

Police Presence to Continue Through the Summer

The Guardia Civil says the reinforced surveillance and investigation operations will continue intensively for the remainder of the summer season.

The objective is to disrupt both the street-level distribution of drugs and the networks supplying the island's illicit market.

The focus on nightlife areas is particularly relevant during Ibiza's peak season, when millions of visitors arrive and the island's entertainment districts become exceptionally busy.

Part of a Wider Crackdown

The latest figure comes after a series of individual drug operations across Ibiza this summer.

In July, for example, the Guardia Civil announced two separate arrests in Sant Antoni after officers allegedly caught suspects selling drugs in public areas. The investigations resulted in the seizure of drugs already divided into individual doses and cash believed to be linked to the alleged sales.

The authorities' latest figures show that these smaller operations form part of a much broader campaign.

With 140 arrests already recorded since June 1, Ibiza's law-enforcement agencies are making drug trafficking a major security priority during the island's busiest months.

The campaign is expected to continue as the summer season moves into its final weeks.

Source: Noudiari