Hugo Bianco, an Ibiza DJ who has performed at venues including Pacha, Sunwaves and 93 Feet East, has been named in a major Spain-US drug trafficking case. The Miami-based DJ has been identified by Spanish prosecutors as the alleged leader of an international drug trafficking organisation, following a court ruling that upheld a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence against a key operative in the alleged network.
The High Court of Justice of the Balearic Islands confirmed the conviction of a 54-year-old Argentine national for drug trafficking, membership of a criminal organisation and electricity fraud. According to Resident Advisor, citing reporting from Diario de Ibiza, prosecutors said the convicted defendant provided logistical support from Barcelona, helping couriers transport MDMA, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis between Spain and the United States.
Hugo Bianco named as alleged leader of the network
The case stems from Operation Pertinax, a Guardia Civil investigation that resulted in 21 arrests across Ibiza, Barcelona and Girona in August 2020. According to Spanish court documents, authorities seized synthetic drugs, cannabis and thousands of marijuana plants, with coordinated operations in Miami resulting in additional arrests and drug seizures stateside.
Spanish investigators identified Hugo Bianco as the alleged leader of the organisation. According to court documents, prosecutors alleged that the Miami-based artist used contacts developed through his music career to establish trafficking routes between Spain and the United States. The Miami-based DJ is believed to currently be living in Miami and remains a fugitive from Spanish authorities after failing to appear before the court.
Court rejects appeal and upholds €3 million fine
In rejecting the defendant’s appeal, the Spanish judges ruled that wiretapped conversations and other evidence demonstrated the convicted operative’s central role in organising shipments to the United States. The court also upheld a €3 million fine. The ruling can still be appealed before Spain’s Supreme Court.
The Miami-based DJ has not appeared before Spanish courts and has not publicly responded to the allegations. The Miami-based artist has not been convicted of any criminal offence in this case and the network’s alleged leadership remains an unproven allegation pending any future prosecution. Resident Advisor reports it has reached out to Hugo Bianco for comment.
The story marks one of the most significant ongoing legal matters tied to the Ibiza dance music scene in recent years, and underscores the continued international scrutiny on the broader nightlife economy as European authorities continue their organised-crime investigations. We will update this story as further developments emerge.
Source link
