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

PalmWhen 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 Coastal Affairs of the Government, Joaquina Ferrer. “I couldn't believe it. My world fell apart when the Police told me that my brother had put money inside 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 the administrator of the company Bennassar Naviliers SL, a company that aspires to authorization to carry out tourist maritime excursions in the Levante of Mallorca. “I had to go and testify, and it's a very big shock. It still doesn't make sense to me that my brother would put money inside a box and send 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 I believe our project is very well planned from a technical point of view,” remarks the brother of the investigated party. Benassar Naviliers SL is listed as an applicant to access the exploitation of tourist excursions in the Levante of Mallorca area, 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 submitting 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 Directorate General of Coastal and Littoral Affairs of the Government to “discuss the project.” “There are always discrepancies. None of these projects are easy to obtain, but to send a box with 20,000 euros... Honestly, people who know me know that I have always, always, respected the regulations and procedures to the utmost. I am speechless,” he comments, referring 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 a tourist maritime excursion activity with passenger vessels on the Llevant coast of Mallorca during the period 2026-2029. It involves the well-known 'golondrinas' (swallow) boats, which travel along the coast carrying tourists during the summer months.

The project's area of operation covers various 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 take place 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 involve the construction of new fixed infrastructures with significant impact, but rather relies mainly on the use of existing or temporary elements. This includes the use of pre-made pontoons, 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 area, which implies the need for administrative authorization and compliance with specific regulations, a situation that involves lengthy procedures.