Tania Gomez, known as the ‘cocaine queen,’ was arrested in Lanzarote last week after evading capture for four years. The 32-year-old had been on the run since 2021.
Escape from Sweden and arrest in Lanzarote
Spanish police released a video showing Gomez being escorted to a station by two officers. She fled Sweden in 2021, where authorities had linked her to a criminal gang in Stockholm. Gomez was allegedly involved in transporting and distributing large amounts of narcotics and money for the group. Her criminal activities only came to light later.
Gomez had built a large following as an Instagram influencer and ran HundGärin, a dog rescue charity. The charity worked to give stray dogs a second chance at life. However, Europol later revealed that Gomez was also involved in a network trafficking animals illegally.
Money laundering and drug trafficking
In 2020, Swedish police raided an office in central Stockholm connected to Gomez. They uncovered one million euros in cash, which authorities believe was tied to drug dealers and organised crime. Gomez faces charges of drug trafficking and money laundering, with Swedish authorities seeking a 14-year prison sentence. Investigators have found documents suggesting her active role in the criminal group.
Ongoing legal proceedings in Lanzarote
After the Stockholm raid, Gomez went into hiding, believed to have fled to Spain, where her father is from. Spanish and Swedish police located her in Tías, Lanzarote, following a joint operation. The arrest followed several tip-offs from the public.
Gomez has been detained by a Spanish court while awaiting extradition to Sweden. Authorities have already sentenced ten of her alleged accomplices to long prison terms. Swedish prosecutor Anna Stråth clarified that these convictions will not influence Gomez’s trial. She will face her own trial, though the date is yet to be confirmed.
Stråth added that while the extradition request has been made, the process could take weeks or months.
