"When the Police told me my brother had sent money to Costes in a box of chocolates, my world fell apart"

PalmaWhen the phone rang, a member of the National Police's Economic Crime Unit (UDEF) explained to Antoni what his brother had done: “Delivering a box of chocolates with 20,000 euros” to the Director General of the Government's Coastal Affairs, Joaquina Ferrer. “I couldn’t believe it. My world fell apart when the Police told me my brother had put money in a box of chocolates and sent it to Coastal Affairs”, recounts the businessman, who is also very affected by what has happened.

Antoni Barceló is his brother's partner and is the administrator of the company Bennassar Naviliers SL, a company that is seeking authorization to carry out tourist boat excursions in the Llevant region of Mallorca. “I had to go and testify, and it's a huge shock. I still can't get my head around my brother putting money in a box and sending it to a Director General”, he said in a telephone conversation with ARA Balears.

“Obviously, I had no knowledge of it, nor would I have ever authorized it, because we believe our project is very well planned from a technical point of view”, remarks the brother of the investigated. Benassar Naviliers SL is listed as a applicant to access the exploitation of tourist excursions in the Llevant area of Mallorca, services that require authorization and to which other companies in the sector also apply. “Perhaps it's not right for me to say it, but our project is very well prepared and it's the best. The last thing we needed was to complicate our lives”, laments Bennàssar.

Antoni is the sole administrator of the company: "I am the representative. For administrative purposes, I have not requested anything other than presenting the project, nor have I taken any action. Everything the Police are investigating is an action by a person who does not legally represent the company, despite being a partner”, he wanted to make clear.

The businessman admitted that a meeting was held with technicians from the Government's Directorate General of Coastal Affairs and the Coastline to "discuss the project". "There are always discrepancies. None of these projects are easy to obtain, but from that to sending a box with 20,000 euros... Honestly, people who know me know that I have always, always, respected regulations and procedures to the maximum. I have no words”, he comments in reference to the facts being investigated by the National Police.

The Bennassar Naviliers project

According to information that ARA Balears has been able to consult, the project presented by Bennassar Naviliers, SL aims to obtain administrative authorization to develop an activity of tourist maritime excursions with passenger vessels on the coast of Llevant de Mallorca during the period 2026-2029. These are the well-known 'golondrines' vessels, which travel along the coast loaded with tourists during the summer months.

The scope of the project covers several stopping points, such as Cala Domingos (Manacor), l’Estany d’en Mas, la Coma, Cala Millor, and la Font de la Cala. These points form the maritime itineraries, although boarding and ticket sales are carried out in Cala Millor, at an access point located within public domain, which requires a very specific concession.

From a technical point of view, the project does not propose the construction of new fixed infrastructures of great impact, but is mainly based on the use of existing or temporary elements. This includes the use of pre-existing jetties, as well as auxiliary facilities linked to the activity, such as kiosks and ticket sales points and waiting areas for users.

However, the entry and exit of passengers takes place within the maritime-terrestrial public domain, which implies the need for administrative authorization and compliance with specific regulations, a situation that involves lengthy procedures.