Carlos Baño, the president of the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, was arrested by National Police agents as part of a secret investigation led by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. This investigation focuses on the trade voucher program initiated by Baño’s organization, which was implemented in around twenty municipalities across the province during 2022 and 2023. The arrest has been confirmed by sources involved in the inquiry, which is rooted in a complaint related to the management of the trade vouchers.

The operation, overseen by the UDEF's Money Laundering Group, involves conducting multiple searches, including one at the headquarters of the Alicante Federation of Commerce known as Facpyme. This indicates the scale and seriousness of the investigation, as officials examine the legality of the funds and the management practices surrounding the voucher program. Baño was reportedly required to cancel his public engagements due to the ongoing situation, highlighting the immediate impact of the legal actions on his role.

The trade voucher program was established to stimulate local purchasing and consumption in small businesses within the municipalities. However, the investigation raises questions about the ethical management of such initiatives, particularly regarding transparency and accountability of public funds. The implications of this case could influence how similar programs are run in the future and may lead to heightened scrutiny of financial practices within such commerce organizations in Spain, emphasizing the importance of ethical governance in boosting local economies.