Investigation Uncovers Hidden Cash in Case Linked to Plus Ultra Inquiry

A recent investigation by the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) has led to the discovery of 286,070 euros in cash hidden throughout the home of Julio Martínez Martínez. The finding, documented in a police report filed within the judicial investigation led by Judge José Luis Calama of the National Court (Audiencia Nacional), marks a significant development in the ongoing probe into the state-backed rescue of the airline Plus Ultra.

Details of the Discovery

Agents from the Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) conducted a thorough search of the property, revealing that the funds were stashed in various unconventional locations. According to the police report, the money was found hidden in items including a plaid travel bag, a golf bag, a paper bag, and a toiletry kit. Notably, investigators also recovered 50,000 euros hidden inside a radiator.

In addition to the cash found in these items, agents discovered five white envelopes. According to investigators, these envelopes contained exact amounts of 10,000 euros each. The report notes that these envelopes were marked with characters that appeared to be in Chinese, which investigators translated as “ten thousand.”

Context of the Investigation

The judicial inquiry, presided over by Judge Calama, centers on allegations of influence peddling related to the government’s pandemic-era financial rescue of the airline Plus Ultra. The UDEF report identifies Julio Martínez Martínez as a personal acquaintance of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and suggests he headed a corporate structure that allegedly benefited the former prime minister and his associates.

Key Takeaways

• Significant Seizure: Authorities recovered 286,070 euros in cash from the residence of Julio Martínez Martínez.
• Concealment Methods: The money was discovered in varied locations, including household furniture, travel bags, and even a radiator.
• Ongoing Inquiry: The discovery is part of a broader investigation into the Plus Ultra airline rescue, currently overseen by the National Court.
• Alleged Connections: Investigators are examining the role of Martínez Martínez in a corporate network linked to the former prime minister.

Looking Ahead

As the case proceeds through the Audiencia Nacional, the discovery of these hidden funds adds a new layer to the allegations of financial irregularities surrounding the airline’s rescue. The investigation continues as authorities analyze the seized evidence and its potential implications for those named in the UDEF report. Further developments are expected as the court reviews the findings presented by the police regarding the structure of the entities involved.