The narco-nightmare of Malasaña

The nightmare of Malasaña, also known as narco-floor, has returned to be news this month in the Madrid neighborhood. However, this time is not due to any kind of terrible event like those that have been happening for more than a year and a half, but it is the long awaited walled narco-floor in Tesoro 28 which has revolutionized the neighborhood, especially the triangle formed by Pozas, Minas and Tesoro streets, this past Wednesday November 14th.  

The floor in question, was the old flat of the porter's lodge, and it was being occupied for more than 30 years by a marriage. During the first years, the coexistence in the building was being correct as well as becoming. The problem originates when this couple begins to get involved in the world of narcotics; a world quite difficult to let up, doubtlessly. However, in view of a delicate situation, the facts get even worse when the husband disregards his wife and abandons her, leaving a baby in her care. The latter, determined not to leave the apartment, prepared to take charge of the cleaning of the landing and the maintenance of the heating; without leaving at any time the drug addiction, though.

<< After a period of relative tranquility, the situation worsened badly since a little over a year and a half ago >> explains Ramón Higinio Suárez Trigo (57, A Coruña), a retired sailor who is now the current president of the Community of neighbors. The courtyard of this floor, was connected with three other buildings, and was used to heap objects that had been stolen.  In addition, it quickly became a focus of constant fights and threats that kept residents frightened. << Those who were then part of the Homeowners Meeting and a very dreadful Administration, owing to their good intentions and their lack of agreement, kept the flat occupied by the woman in a quite precarious way >> confessed the president, << The situation for a majority of current ownerships is inherited, and the decisions have to be addressed in the corresponding Homeowners Meeting >> added.

Some time later, with the change of the heating system as a way of justification, the Owners` Meeting eventually decided to dispense with its services. Nonetheless, she was reluctant to leave. In fact, it is at this moment, when the floor takes the look of narco floor in itself. The Homeowners Meeting meets again, and they reach an agreement to evict the property, which, by the way, remains unresolved, even having filed the corresponding lawsuit in court a year ago. << Justice is slow >> affirmed Ramón Higinio.

Although the police had been working quietly for a long time, the visits in search of daily doses remained constant, and although the word "drug" was habitual listening in the building, it was something that was impossible as well as inconceivable to get used to. However, the worst had still not happened. This past summer of 2018 occured two events whose importance transcended the already low level of resignation and perseverance of the neighborhood. First, an alleged rape in July, that even caused the abandonment of the building of one of the neighbors. Then, the highlight: one of the usual customers is found deceased in Tesoro street due to an overdose. He is known to have come from the apartment in question and then had been taken to the street, where he finally died of cardiac arrest. This is the reason why the neighbors decide to take drastic measures, and create the SOS Malasaña platform; even though they had previously denounced the socially precarious condition in which they were cohabiting. SOS Malasaña is a neighborhood movement that until now, has achieved police collaboration to stop the drinking in the street matter and achieve this eviction. Nevertheless, there is still a long list of demands. The association of merchants Vive Malasaña has also been reported the thefts and robberies that happen in this neighborhood almost every week.  

In recent months, the climate of violence, cruelty and aggressiveness completely enveloped the building. Robberies, threats and even fights with knives became a stormy day-to-day for the residents of the building in Tesoro street. In addition, residents had to be confronted repeatedly to these subjects to order them to leave the building, despite the fact that, luckily, they always left unharmed. << Blood never came to the river, but aggressiveness has never been lacking >> commented on this issue the president of the Community.

Another big problem that they had to face in the building during the last months was that of prostitution; women who came to the building to offer their body in exchange for a dose. This not only angered the inhabitants of the block, but also caused them some anguish and uneasiness. For this reason, a neighbor defined a narco-flat as "a double-sided problem", referring not only to the suffering of the residents of the neighborhood and to their safety, but also to the danger that run the people who go there, to the point of ending their lives.  

In addition, residents also had to get involved daily to solve the problems created by the visitors, because according to Ramón Higinio Suárez Trigo, when they came, they not only caused scandals and got into fights, but they even got to drugs on the stairs and did their needs in the landings, leaving the task of the subsequent cleaning to the neighbors. On the other hand, the building itself also suffered several material damages: destruction of the intercom, injuries in the door of the portal due to continuous slamming, etc.

Such was the dismay of the Community of Neighbors that they daily expressed their despair to the media faced with the situation, not knowing that the desired solution would soon come. In fact, the last complaint had been 24 hours before the police broke into the building. Thus, the police operation, although unexpected, was received with great joy by all residents, not only the ones of the building in question, but also all those who live nearby, who in some way, they were also being affected . The flat`s walled has been made by the action of the police corps that carried out a precautionary seal, authorized by the Court of Guardia.

With the sealing of the floor, and with the subsequent walling, the problem disappeared as if by magic. Now the neighbors coexist in complete tranquility, although they are always in wait in case a visitor returns. << Even though now the tranquility is absolute, the neighbors still maintain their caution and mistrust >> admitted Ramón. The truth is that the events which took place in this narco-floor have left a mark difficult to erase in those who have lived with this situation. The feeling of insecurity will take time to completely disappear from Tesoro street, and it is something that the neighbors will have to learn to cope with.

The Community is still awaiting the resolution of the demand for eviction in the corresponding court. In the meantime, they are content with a walling based on brick and cement in the door and the enclosure of the window, which at least will prevent the use of the floor for any activity at the moment.  

However, this nightmare is not entirely over yet. The cruelty has taken a short time to reappear through the streets of Malasaña. After this walled up in Tesoro 28, a establishment in San Joaquin street, eight minutes walking from Tesoro, has turned into the new focus of drug trafficking, sowing panic among the residents of the area, who have already witnessed several brawls in this narco-establishment. Actually, there had already been similar cases such as the porter's lodge of Divino Pastor street, in which the door was broken in order to change the quarters’ lock. Luckily, the neighbors realized what was happening in time, and were able to block the entrance before the situation had worsened.

Malasaña, a prisoner of gentrification, is living a nightmare from which there seems to be no way out. The neighbors continue in a constant struggle to get a decent life, or at least more calm. The truth is that some objectives have already been achieved; but there is still a long list to fulfill to turn this nightmare into a dream come true.