Spanish Civil Guard agent fined for renting barracks room to tourists

The Military Chamber of Spain's Supreme Court has upheld a 20-day suspension from duty and pay for a Civil Guard officer stationed in Sant Josep de sa Talaia (Ibiza) for renting out his assigned room at the Can Sifre barracks to tourists. The scandal broke when one guest crashed a police party, served himself a drink, and asked officers where they could buy drugs.

Some believe the rental market in Ibiza has seen it all. Then comes a story like this, starting in a Civil Guard barracks and ending in the Supreme Court. The protagonist is an officer stationed at the **Can Sifre** barracks in the municipality of **Sant Josep de sa Talaia**, who decided to earn extra money by renting out the room assigned to him while he was away. The operation cost him **20 days of suspension from employment and salary**, a serious misconduct that the high court has just confirmed.

## A party, an intruder, and an awkward question

The scheme was discovered during a celebration within the barracks itself, which local press places around the antiestéticast day of the corps' patron saint. In the middle of the event, a man appeared looking disheveled compared to the usual atmosphere. He approached the food area, poured himself a drink without asking permission, and chatted with the officers as if nothing were wrong.

When the guards asked what he was doing there, the man explained he had rented a room in the building. He was a tenant. Not content with that, he complained that the accommodation did not meet promises and lacked sea views. To top it off, he asked those present where he could buy drugs. "Where can I get some here?" he said, according to reports by the **Diario de Ibiza**.

## Four guests, keys, and a refusal to leave

An officer invited the tenants to pack their bags and leave the military premises. They flatly refused and locked themselves in the room: they argued they had signed and paid, insisting on their right to stay. Eventually, they came to their senses and left, though without returning the keys. According to the case details, **four people** had stayed irregularly in the facility. An entire family.

The officer tried to avoid the punishment by appealing to the Supreme Court. He claimed his right to defense was abusa because statements from his clients and the witnessing agents were not accepted. The high court dismissed his excuses and ratified the sanction for failing to comply with legal duties inherent to his position.

## The fine that never arrived

Despite the public embarrassment and **20 days** without pay, the penalty was comparatively light for the officer. According to sources from the **Consell de Ibiza**, the institution has not received any formal complaint regarding tourist intrusion related to this episode. Had a file been processed for illegal holiday rental, the officer would have faced a fine of at least **€40,000**.

This highlights the difference between military disciplinary regulations and tourism laws: one thing is neglecting professional duties, another, much more expensive, is acting as a host without a license. The anecdote of the tourist demanding sea views and asking authorities about drugs is now part of the island's recent history. It is worth remembering that renting a property without complying with regional regulations can lead to heavy economic sanctions, so anyone with doubts about their specific case should consult a professional.