Businessman arrested for offering a box of chocolates with 20,000 euros to the Director General of Costs

PalmThe National Police arrested a businessman from Mallorca this Friday who attempted to bribe the Director General of Coasts and Coastline, María Joaquima Ferrer. The man, who went to the high-ranking official's office to resolve an issue with permits linked to his businesses, gave her a box of chocolates. Ferrer's surprise was immense when, upon opening it to offer some to some workers, it was full of money: in total, there were 20,000 euros in 50 euro bills.

According to government sources, the director general immediately reported the discovery and telephoned the Economic and Fiscal Crimes Unit (UDEF). The police spent fifteen days locating the businessman, who is now at the disposal of the judicial authorities. A court in Palma has taken charge of the case and declared it secret.

In the press conference following the Governing Council, the first vice-president and Minister of Economy and Finance, Antoni Costa, praised Ferrer's actions. "She acted as any civil servant or any public executive position in the Government should act," he said: "I can do nothing but express my satisfaction with the Director General of Coasts." Nevertheless, he referred to the secrecy of the investigation and avoided giving further details of the case.

The Government appointed Ferrer to the head of the directorate general in August 2025. A law graduate and a civil servant in the Balearic administration since 1996, she has developed a broad career in the public sector, with more than 25 years of experience in administrative, legal, and management roles.