A powerful police operation has shaken Catalonia, as Spanish law enforcement dismantled a criminal network specialized in arms smuggling.
During the intervention, nine individuals ended up in handcuffs and an impressive amount of weapons was confiscated, notably a bazooka and a hand grenade.
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The operation was carried out by a task force composed of Mossos d’Esquadra and National Police, with the deployment of around 130 officers. According to official announcements, the officers raided several locations used by the group and located two hidden warehouses, inside which over 40 firearms were found.
Among the seized materials were a military-caliber weapon, 38 semi-automatic pistols, two revolvers, four rifles, and approximately 1,000 cartridges. Likewise, the police seized a hand grenade, bulletproof vests, a ballistic shield, the aforementioned bazooka, and 12,000 euros in cash.
Investigations revealed that the organization was run from behind bars. A prisoner, exploiting communications with the outside world, continued to orchestrate the criminal activity and transmit directives to his family members. The network was focused on the illegal purchase, storage, and trade of weapons, using camouflaged routes to promote them and to send photos to potential buyers.
One of the leader’s daughters had taken on the role of advertising the arsenal, taking photographs and videos of the weapons to present to the clientele. His partner, meanwhile, handled the transportation of the goods by car to designated drop-off points, while the leader himself managed negotiations from his prison cell.
The investigation, which began in January, ended with the arrest of nine citizens, specifically five men and four women, ranging in age from 20 to 48. In parallel with the ground operation, law enforcement also carried out a surprise inspection in the prison where the person suspected of being the mastermind of the whole scheme is held.
Spanish police have announced that investigations are still ongoing and the possibility of further arrests as part of this operation has not been ruled out.
