Costa Blanca

Elche jihadists arrested

The four young people detained in Elche in December were admirers of the most ruthless jihadists, played violent video games from Al-Qaeda and ISIS, and left behind manuscripts that explicitly discussed “killing Christians.” They were prepared to take a decisive step in their radicalism, but their detention by the police stopped them. The suspects stated that they wanted to name the explosive device the “Mother of Satan,” which was used by the young terrorist cell that carried out the 2017 attacks on Barcelona and Cambrils.

On November 28th, 2024, two of the four minors arrested had a chat about the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP), according to counterterrorism effort sources who spoke to El Confidencial. This substance is frequently utilised by jihadist terrorist organisations and is referred to as “the mother of Satan” due to its destructive effects. Investigations by the General Information Commissariat (CGI) of the National Police have shown that the communication covered the desire to acquire the components required to manufacture the explosive.

Extremist pro-jihadist online groups frequently honour past terrorists who used this explosive in their assaults and provide information on how to create TATP. These terrorist groups’ official media also frequently provides guides to persuade any would-be jihadist to conduct out acts in their nations. “Mother of Satan” is extremely sensitive, but it doesn’t require a lot of advanced infrastructure. In the summer of 2017, it was the bomb that the Ripoll jihadists were producing in the Alcanar home on Imam Es Satty’s orders. An unintentional explosion derailed the original plan to use the bomb for a large-scale attack on a famous Barcelona structure, such as the Sagrada Familia. Instead, they chose to launch a deadly mass attack on La Rambla.

This publication claims that the four Elche adolescents were taken into custody by the National Police in mid-December, only a few weeks after the explosives discussion that set off the counterterrorism experts’ alarms. Even at the risk of earning lighter court punishments, security agencies have long depended on preemptive measures like these before it’s too late. According to the sources consulted, there was concern that the Basilica of Santa María in the town of Alicante might be attacked by this self-indoctrinated cell.

The children are alleged to have self-indoctrinated terrorists. On some of their Facebook and TikTok profiles, they left behind signs of their growth. They uploaded terrorist organisations’ propaganda. A handcrafted collage of articles about John the Jihadi, a charismatic member of the British-born terrorist group DAESH, who is well-known for appearing in graphic execution films, was discovered among the possessions of one of the individuals when the officers searched their homes. Additionally, a notebook contained handwritten writings with references to jihad that called for the murder of Christians and unbelievers. This young terrorist group was composed of minors, and the National Police were able to identify how they discussed their plans with a strong radical bent by intercepting their conversations. One of the inmates’ defence lawyers tried to minimise these exchanges by claiming in his appeal that they were “nothing more than conversations between teenagers.”

He also said it was typical for the captives to watch violent extremist films. He said that “viewing images is normal considering the content of video games on the market.” Supporters of jihadist organisations have created online personas and games featuring terrorist insignia, such as the one depicted in this article, in recent years. Experts in the battle against this phenomena caution that it is just another recruitment tactic.

In attempt to persuade the court to release him because there was no flight danger, one of the people detained in Elche also stated that he lived a peaceful life with his parents. His case shows that there are no distinct characteristics among the young people who are being looked into for jihadist terrorism, as seen by his strong high school scores. At the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, the four were sent from Elche to Madrid, especially to the Teresa de Calcuta juvenile centre.

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Related Topics:Alicante Attack Attacks Barcelona Children Court Elche Madrid Market Murder National People Police

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Costa Blanca

Hiker rescued after sustaining a head injury during a fall

Today, the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium rescued a 77-year-old man who suffered a head injury after sliding while hiking in Collado del Polçet, Cabeçó d’Or, Alicante.

According to the aforementioned agency, the Alpha 01 rescue helicopter and the GER special rescue group were dispatched to the location at approximately 1:38 p.m. upon receiving the alert.

The injured individual was immediately evacuated to the helipad of the Doctor Balmís General Hospital in Alicante by the firefighters after they had located him. The operation concluded at approximately 3:05 p.m.

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Costa Blanca

Police in Alicante seize 1,300 kilos of cocaine from two trucks

Two large vehicles carrying 1,300 kilos of cocaine were intercepted by agents from the Drug and Organised Crime Unit (UDYCO) of the National Police in Alicante. The French Customs and the Central Investigation Office of the Polish Police provided support to the investigation, which was conducted by the Alicante Police Station in collaboration with the Catalonia Headquarters and coordinated by Europol.

According to sources from the investigation, these vehicles were intercepted at a service station in France and in an area near Barcelona after travelling through the province of Alicante. The operation has led to the interception of over one tonne of narcotics that were intended for several European countries.

The events occurred on March 16th when French authorities discovered a large vehicle with Polish registration at a service station in France, en route to Lyon. 800 kilogrammes of cocaine were discovered concealed within aluminium materials during the inspection of this vehicle. The coordination mechanisms between countries were immediately activated through Europol, and the driver was arrested for an alleged offence against public health.

Cooperation was established with the Central Investigation Office of the Police, specifically with the department in Rzeszów, following the discovery of the first vehicle. This collaboration resulted in the discovery of a second truck near Barcelona.

The National Police discovered an additional 500 kilogrammes of cocaine, this time concealed among porcelain construction materials, as a result of their collaboration with the Polish side. The National Police’s Special Security Operations Group (GOES) provided assistance to the investigators in the transportation of the narcotics.

Currently, the investigation is ongoing, and Europol is coordinating efforts between Spain, France, and Poland to dismantle the criminal organisation that is dedicated to high-level drug trafficking.

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Costa Blanca

Man arrested in Benidorm for exploiting unauthorised immigrants

The National Police arrested a man in Benidorm on suspicion of violating workers’ rights. The suspect hired undocumented immigrants for construction jobs and then threatened to alert authorities about their condition in order to exploit them.

The police inquiry began after they received information about the potential hiring of illegal immigrants in construction. Following early enquiries, it was determined that numerous nationals were working on a villa construction site in Benidorm, the majority of them without work or residency permits. Apparently, the employer who recruited the workers did not pay them and threatened to denounce them for unlawful employment.

Thus, the investigators’ initial steps concentrated on ascertaining the workers’ working circumstances and validating the identity of the person in charge of the hiring.

During surveillance by National Police personnel, it was discovered that a total of 15 people worked on the building site, ten of them were illegal. The primary person in charge of the project was also recognised.

The main suspect’s tactic consisted of continuing to hire persons who were in Spain illegally to work on the construction site, threatening to report them for their irregular status if they sought a salary.

Once the suspect’s illicit activity was proven, he was arrested for allegedly violating workers’ rights.

At the time of the arrest, an investigation of the construction site discovered a lack of needed safety equipment. Seven workers were found as working without proper personal protective equipment, putting their physical safety at risk.

Investigators also discovered that the building lacked the required building permit, indicating that it was not authorised to carry out the activity.

The detainee was taken before the Benidorm Investigating Court.