The latest report from UCOof October 8, among other conclusions, underlines the “relevant role” of the former Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, Jose Luis Abaloswithin the known as Koldo affair.
An allegedly corrupt network that had the aforementioned ministry as its epicenter and whose goal was to obtain contracts for the purchase and sale of masks. Something that happened at the most critical moment of the pandemic. In exchange, they would have received irregular commissions.
Furthermore, the aforementioned UCO report considers that Victor de Aldama [comisionista] “He used his relationships with Koldo (former advisor to the minister) and with Ábalos to influence the final granting of the Air Europa bailout.” In the document, agents include other evidence with Ábalos.
What is UCO?
The UCO (Central Operating Unit) is a elite unit of the Civil Guard. Concretely, it is the central body of the judicial police service of the Civil Guard. Its mission is to investigate and prosecute the most serious forms of delinquency and organized crime.
Delinquency and criminality which covers both national and international scope. It also provides support to the Territorial Judicial Police Units. This happens when there is a lack of personnel or resources, or because the criminal domain is interprovincial.
Its origin dates back to 1987. Thus, it was born with the aim of providing support to other criminal investigation sections, but, over time, it began to tackle more complex and specialized investigations.
For example, issues related to economic crimes, organized drug trafficking, money laundering, homicides and kidnappings, telematic crimes, organized crime or crimes against Spanish historical heritage, among others.
What were your main actions?
Before going into details, it should be noted that the UCO is commanded by an active colonel of the Civil Guard. And its members, if other Benemérita research units need it, provide them with support.
Then, there is management and different services: technical and operational support; general crime; economic and technological crime; drug trafficking and smuggling; unit attached to the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office…
Among the actions they have carried out since their creation, it is worth highlighting Operation Brody. The focus was on former RFEF president Luis Rubiales and the misappropriation of 3.8 million euros to a construction company and the company that operates the La Cartuja stadium in Seville.
They also participated in the release of María Ángels Feliu (said pharmacist of Olot); he Pretoria affair, where the PSOE mayor of Santa Coloma de Gramanet was arrested; THE Punic operation (Francisco Granados, leader of the PP in Madrid, was one of those involved); wave Operation Lezo (corruption of the Canal de Isabel II in Madrid).
Likewise, in the Angel María Villar caseformer president of the RFEF; he Diana Quer affair, the young Madrilenian murdered in Galicia; wave Operation Nemoon the disappearance and murder of the boy Gabriel Cruz, 8 years old. In total, more than 150 cases.
