Devil's Crossroads: No-one said it would be easy. Read online

  “Trig, you fucking kidding me, drugs, firearms, what?”

  “Just a car, that’s what I was told”

  “A car, you’re a car dealer aren’t you, what did you do?”

  “I just buy a car every now and then and sell it, sort of, then it gets taken away. Listen if you think it was bad in the back of that transporter, it’s fuck all to what they can do and will do, if you do them wrong.”

  “Who, which group, nationality, what do they do?”

  Sarah, “I know they’re nasty bastards, they’re all in the mix together and don’t trust anyone, I’ve been looking at the area since I started here. Which one or ones do you work with?”

  “Look, I don’t work with them, I’m (he paused) sort of used by them all for differing things, nothing has gone wrong on my end they use me, intimidate me into doing things but pay me well, they could get rid of me at any time they wanted but I can’t get away from them. My wife and kids are down there, kids at school, missus spending every fucking day, nice gaff. They’re always killing each other; the Guardia don’t know the fucking half or if they do, they just let them shoot fuck out of each other. Pardon the language Sarah.”

  She continued, “So how do you know about each group?”

  “I have been,” he paused for thought again, “utilised under pressure, by all of them, they tell me what the other fucking groups are doing, they would kill their own fucking mothers some of them, them from Montenegro and Bosnia, they’re, just fucking cruel and laugh about it, it scares the shit out of people, me included. The Irish thought they were bad until the Monte’s come along. The Swede’s they just bring a hitman in on a plane give him a gun, bang fucking bang, then back on the plane to Oslo or wherever they live the next day. They all need a bit of each other, the locals, Spanish that is and the Moroccan’s do the hashish and grow the plants, Colombians do the cocaine, Russians are taking over the bars and supply in the bars, Irish do the guns, Polish have muscle and fearless gangsters everyone is buying from each other.”

  Steve “And what do you do?”

  “I sell cars to anyone, that’s how I make my living, except now I’m given cars to sell and they take cars from me, good quality cars, top range Mercs, Porsche, Audi, Beamers, best models. The fucking Guardia bosses have bought motors off me, too expensive for the lower ranks. Come down and have a look, I’m sure your lot is down there now, if not they’re fucking useless. It would be good to see you both but don’t fucking come with the fucking Guardia or Nacional, that wouldn’t be good for business or me.”

  “Sarah and I will talk it over tonight, I’ve got your number, I’ll get in touch.”

  Trigger handed Sarah a business card from his wallet.

  They stood up and shook hands then hugged, Trigger said quietly, “I would appreciate your help, this is only going to end one way, I’ve lost my legs, I don’t mind being killed, but those cunts, sorry Sarah, would kill my wife and kids, laugh as they were doing it and fucking make me watch.” Trigger made his way to the door; he had a plane to catch.

  Chapter 5

  Wednesday 25th January 2017

  Steve and Sarah had thoroughly researched the information they had been given by Trigger. Sarah had prepared the intelligence report which was to be presented to the regional liaison officers as well as Guardia and Police Nacional representatives. She was well aware that there were active operations presently in the Andalucía area that this intelligence may be of assistance to those involved at the moment. It was anticipated that the meeting may take some time as a result of the intelligence Sarah had gathered from all accessible sources, building on the information given by Trigger, his identity was to be kept secret from all sources. He was not yet registered as a Covert Human Intelligence Source. (CHIS)

  Officers and others invited had started to arrive at the briefing room, a bright room on the second floor of the British Embassy, Sarah had met and worked with most of them before in the short time she had been in Madrid and had built a rapport and trust with her Spanish colleagues.

  The Civil Guards, Sergento Manuel Chaves Vidal of the SIGC Intelligence Service and Sergento Primero Ivan Fidel Sanchez, UCO Central Operations Unit, dressed comfortably in the green uniforms were the first to arrive. They were greeted by Sarah with handshakes and kisses on the cheeks, Sarah introduced them both to Steve.

  A few minutes later Josan Antonio Alvares of the Policía Nacional UDYCO organised crime investigation arrived, he was dressed immaculately in the black uniform and walked immediately to Sarah and kissed her cheeks then after introduction shook hands with Steve.

  Sarah had informal chats with the Spanish officers in their language, Steve listened and joined in when appropriate, mainly about football, nothing changes he thought.

  It was going onto 11:00 when the Senior Liaison Officer Robert (Bert) Ingham and Peter Thomas the liaison officer for the Andalucía Community entered the room together. All the officers greeted each other and began to take seats facing the white boards and the desks where Sarah and Steve were sat. They all had their official document pads open; Steve closed the door and took his seat. Sarah had changed her demeanor from her cheerful personality to more of a business attitude. She spoke in Spanish and greeted everyone officially to the meeting and announced the usual protocol concerning any information which would be restricted for law enforcement purposes. The meeting then continued in English with any extra required explanations communicated in Spanish to clear any ambiguity in translation.

  The PowerPoint presentation started with the leading British persons who had been identified as being involved in the criminal activities.

  Kevin Wilson, from Liverpool. Drug purchase and supply all types to UK. He has a close team of 12 living locally in Fuengirola to organise transfer of cash and drugs.

  Michael Dunlop aka Schumacher, from Sunderland. Prominent dealer of cannabis resin, oil, plants and seeds, cocaine, amphetamine, all destined for Northern England. Based in Torrevieja in Alicante he is a used car dealer and rents out campervans. He has a team of 3 and uses changing groups as transporters.

  Philip Lewis from London. Owns several bars in Malaga, Torremolinos and Fuengirola. Large scale trafficking in all drugs, stolen property and uses muscle to enforce his power.

  Graeme and Penny Livingston, from London. Estate Agents, based in Malaga involved in money laundering and dabble in drug supply.

  Sarah then linked these known persons to a Montenegro Crime clan from ‘Pečurice’ a town in that country. This group were prominent in the Andalucía area and had properties throughout the region but were mainly based in Marbella. They had dealings directly with the, Spanish, Moroccans, British, Dutch and Swedish Organised crime gangs. They were known to be ruthless and extremely protective of their businesses. They dealt in all drug movements and any form of lucrative criminal activity from prostitution, robberies and murder.

  Milos Tomaševic was known to be the leader of the group and lived in Marbella. He was known to be very violent and used force to maintain his authority and position. His son Asir was also heavily involved and was known to be extremely violent.

  Two of his associates were known to be Anel Markovic and Hamza Kovacev, both of these men were known as his enforcers. Little was known of these men on criminal systems which may suggest that the names were false.

  This started a discussion about the current operations that were ongoing at the Southern peninsula of Andalucía.

  Josan, the Nacional Police officer started, “Thank you Sarah, I believe we all know there are big, really big problems in the South and we are just touching the surface. We have people working there for some time and what they tell us is that it’s getting worse, the OCG’s as you say from different countries are gathering together, like the gulls waiting for the sardines in the bay, they all take what they want but the foreign bigger aggressive birds are taking control even from the Spanish. We do operations and take some out but they just get replaced. They do more damage to themselves, last week there were 5 killed and two badly injured in a gun fight in Estepona and that will not be the end of that feud, that involved a Montenegrin group, I don’t’ know if it is the group you said. The Spanish are wanting to keep control of the cocaine supply from Colombia and are trying to keep the other groups at a distance from their Colombian contacts, it is a lucrative mark up on the price for them and obviously the other groups want to get it at the lower price. For now, the Colombians are sticking with the Spanish, they trust them, so I have been told.”

  Ivan, Guardia Civil, “Josan is correct, we all know of the amount of drugs and crime being organised by all of these groups. We all work together, talk and organise and we need to hit force with force and to strike hard. Intelligence is the key, we all have resources, shall I say and they are living a life of danger, a bullet in the head would be the best outcome if they were found to be informing. We have recovered bodies mutilated by torture, too horrible to talk about, you can use your imagination if you want, they’re bodies aren’t hidden they are dumped in the middle of a main road for everyone to see. They rule by fear, three weeks ago a group of police, off duty in a bar in the mountains were surrounded by a large number of OCG members, they had followed them to the bar. This is intimidation to police, they fear no-one. The area is beautiful and wealthy on the surface, dangerous and deadly underground but sometimes they meet in bars and restaurants a lot of it is criminal involvement. It is now the devil’s crossroads of the world for illicit drug supply, heroin, cocaine, hashish, tablets. We have an operation planned next week you are welcome to come and observe, at a safe distance if you want.”

  Bert Ingham, “Steve, I think that would be a good way to acclimatise to the new role and see the area we are talking about.”

  Steve, “
Yes, I would like to be there, thank you for the invitation Josan.”

  Sarah not wanting to be left out, “Josan I would like to be an observer and see how your highly rated team works, if possible, of course?”

  Josan, “No problem Sarah, if you have the authority.” As he looked at Bert.

  Bert, “Yes, good idea Josan, we can get the logistics sorted when you know the date.”

  The presentation and meeting ended, Sarah was failing badly to conceal her excitement about her first ever involvement in an operation, even if it was just as an observer, her face told everything.

  Chapter 6

  30th January 2017

  It was 08:35 when Steve and Sarah placed their overnight bags into the boot of the Embassy pool car, a shark grey coloured Peugeot 3008, it was comfortable and powerful for the 6-hour drive to Malaga. After some deliberation over the weekend between Sarah and Steve, Sarah had made a phone call to the family she had stayed with in Jaén and had made an arrangement to visit on their journey South. They were excited that Sarah was visiting, they had kept in touch with birthday and Christmas cards but they had not seen each other in 14 years.

  Steve first had to navigate out of Madrid city centre, once onto the near traffic free motorway the journey was smooth but not quiet, Sarah could not stop talking. For all the years he had known Sarah, he had never been in a car with her for more than ten minutes. She was excited and apprehensive about meeting the family, had she done the right thing, should we drive straight on and give an excuse, non-stop questions then answering herself, Steve gave the occasional yes or no. They were driving South, it was now bright sunshine coming directly through the windscreen and both slipped on their sun glasses, then it went quiet. Sarah had fallen asleep and Steve smiled.

  Just after 11:00 Sarah stirred and Steve looked at her and again smiled, her head was down towards her left shoulder with spittle dribbling from her mouth onto her chin, she still looked great. She sat up and looked into the mirror on the passenger sun shade and carefully wiped her mouth as if Steve hadn’t seen it, then took a drink of water from the cooled bottle in the centre console. They were nearing the junction for Jaén; Sarah began asking the same questions again.

  Steve, “Are we going to Jaén, yes, or no?”

  After a short pause, “Yes, I want to.”

  They stopped at a service area and Sarah took the opportunity to freshen up, a little make up adjustment to the light lipstick that was smudged by the spittle. She brushed her shining black shoulder length waved hair, then straightened her navy-blue blouse and jeans. It was cool outside despite the sun but the day would warm up she hoped. Steve had two coffees in cardboard cups and they returned to the car, Sarah knew the directions but Steve used the Sat-nav system and they headed for El Arroyo to the South of the city. Steve turned off the ring road and Sarah gave the directions, she was agitated, nervous and excited, they were on time, Steve turned into the cul-de-sac. These were large detached houses and surrounded by high hedging. Sarah indicated where Steve should park, they both got out of the car and even Steve straightened his black polo shirt and ran his fingers through his short-styled hair, Sarah literally gave her body a shake and pressed the bell on the gate post.

  They had been waiting, Carlos had been watching from an upstairs window overlooking the road and saw them approach, he had gone downstairs, Renata knew they must be here, they walked to the gate together. Carlos pulled the gate open; Renata and Sarah were face to face.

  Renata smiling, “Madre mia, Madre mia” she was clapping in excitement and opened her arms, Sarah stepped into her grasp and they both hugged tightly. Renata was constantly kissing her on the cheek and now both were crying. They stood back and looked at each other, “Beautiful, beautiful, you are a beautiful woman now not a girl, we have missed you.” Renata spoke in Spanish. Sarah could not speak.

  Carlos stepped towards Sarah and she went to him and kissed his cheeks and hugged tightly, “You are still my beautiful English rose.” he said.

  Sarah was crying, Steve gave her his new white handkerchief he had brought for this expected emotional meeting. She dried her tears “I have missed you both as well, you both look fantastic.”

  It could be seen that they had aged, they would be mid-sixties now, Renata had put on a little weight and her hair was now a ginger tone instead of natural black, still an attractive woman and well styled in a floral dress for the occasion. Carlos had now shaven his head and had a few lines around his eyes, he was wearing a white collared shirt under a green cardigan and a pair of brown corduroy trousers.

  Sarah introduced Steve, he shook hands with Carlos and was given the usual hug and kisses from Renata. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Renata took hold of Sarah’s hand and they all walked into the house, Renata had been busy since the phone call on Saturday preparing a selection of salads, meats, warm stews and fruit for a ‘light’ lunch.

  For two hours the conversation never stopped, in Spanish of course but with an Andalusian accent, Steve was picking up and learning more of the language. At one time Renata mentioned three of Sarah’s friend who she believed were still in Jaén. Certainly, she would remember Luis who lived nearby at the time, he now owned a well-respected restaurant in the city. They had all grown up she said. Sarah kept her secret to herself and Steve, no-one needed to know. Time had flown and it was time to leave, promises were made to meet up again, it was certain they would, either in Jaén or Madrid, again it was time for hugs, kisses and tears as Steve opened the car doors. Carlos gave Steve a large wicker hamper full of meats, cheeses, fruit, pickles, olive oil, Cava and wine, it was like Christmas, he thanked them both and placed it in the boot of the car. As Steve drove away from the house, Sarah was quiet again, “Well, do you want to go to the restaurant now?”

  “No, not today.”

  The route was planned and it was just over two hours to get to the hotel in Malaga and go for a drink.

  Chapter 7

  Tuesday 31st January 2017

  Steve and Sarah had met in the restaurant for breakfast, they were now checking the planned route to be taken during the course of today’s journey, to explore the Southern Coast of Spain. The sun was rising and it was a bright day for the grand tour, which started heading North to Nerja, then heading South along the A7 with the Mediterranean shimmering on the left, with a few detours to selected locations, it should be 3 hours before stopping for lunch in Gibraltar. Gibraltar was the only place on Southern Spain that Steve knew, having visited whilst in the Marines. It was a strange drive, the sparkling light blue of the sea with a few white tops on the left, high clouds whisking over mountains to the right and in between, concrete, housing, shopping malls, golf courses, one town never ended before the next one started it would be so easy to hide in this elaborate yet expensive ants’ nest. They did think about visiting Trigger but both agreed it would be an unwise thing to do but they decided to have a drive passed his car sales room.

  Steve turned off the A7 at junction 209 and turned right towards the mountains and the sign for Poligono(Business estate) San Rafael, then driving along Camino Viejo de Coin, the showroom was on Calle Poseidon near to a local supermarket. Sarah saw it first a large advertising sign, CB Quality Motors with several national flags around the border, “It’s a big place, I didn’t know what to expect but I didn’t think it would be this big.” There was a large compound which looked full of top range motors and an enclosed showroom with about 8 cars inside although it couldn’t be seen what models they were. Steve continued driving passed without distraction and headed back to the motorway.