Money Laundering Lawyer in Valencia

Valencia is home to the busiest container port in the Mediterranean, making it a strategic focal point for money laundering investigations. Spanish prosecutors actively pursue cases linked to international trade, the booming coastal real estate market, and the emerging cryptocurrency sector.

Money laundering in Spain (Art. 301 Criminal Code) carries 6 months to 6 years' imprisonment. Where the assets originate in drug trafficking, that penalty is imposed in its upper half (3 years and 3 months to 6 years); and where the offender belongs to an organisation dedicated to laundering, Art. 302 CP imposes the upper half and, for its leaders, managers or officers, the next higher degree — up to 9 years. The Audiencia Provincial de Valencia handles the most complex cases, while the investigating courts at the Ciudad de la Justicia manage the instruction phase.

Our firm provides English-speaking defense across all stages: from the initial SEPBLAC investigation to the oral trial. We combine deep knowledge of Spanish anti-money laundering law with financial forensic expertise to demonstrate the lawful origin of our clients' assets.

Based on our caseload, the most common money laundering scenarios affecting international clients in Valencia include:

• Real estate purchases: Foreign buyers on the Costa Blanca (Dénia, Jávea, Calpe, Benidorm) face scrutiny when unable to document the origin of purchase funds. Cash payments over €10,000 trigger mandatory reporting.
• Import/export businesses: Companies operating through the Port of Valencia with financial flows that don't match declared cargo volumes generate SEPBLAC alerts.
• Cryptocurrency: Valencia's growing tech sector includes crypto investors and operators. The Spanish Tax Agency cross-references Modelo 720 (overseas assets) with blockchain tracing tools.
• Bank account freezes: SEPBLAC can order banks to freeze accounts without judicial authorisation. We intervene immediately to unblock funds by providing origin-of-funds documentation.

Two legal concepts multiply the risk for defendants in Valencia:

Self-laundering (autoblanqueo): Spanish courts routinely convict defendants for both the predicate offense and for laundering their own proceeds. This means a drug trafficker can receive separate sentences for trafficking and for investing the profits.

Extended confiscation (comiso ampliado, Art. 127 bis CP): Courts can seize assets whose lawful origin the defendant cannot prove, even if they are not directly linked to the crime. This applies to property, vehicles, bank accounts, crypto wallets, and corporate shares.

Our defense strategy focuses on documenting the lawful origin of every asset from the earliest stage, working with forensic accountants to prepare origin-of-funds reports that withstand judicial scrutiny.