According to sources from both forces in a joint statement, the National Police and Guardia Civil conducted Operation “Vistrelil-Escorpion” in the Region of Murcia, which resulted in the dismantling of a drug-smuggling criminal group and the arrest of six people, two of whom have been imprisoned.
Those arrested are accused of attempted murder, assault, storage of weapons of war, robbery with violence and intimidation, vehicle theft, receiving stolen items, drug trafficking, document falsification, and belonging to a criminal organisation.
The inquiry began in July 2024, when the National Police discovered a shooting in a residential area of the Murcia district of Guadalupe.
In broad daylight, a man was assaulted by numerous others wielding firearms. After intimidating him, they stole several huge bags of narcotics.
Back in March, the Guardia Civil was notified of an alleged shooting at a property in Archena (Murcia). A hooded man entered the residence with an assault rifle and shot the resident, critically injuring him.
Because both robberies shared some characteristics, the National Police and Civil Guard collaborated on the investigation.
Both police forces’ investigations resulted in the discovery of a cache in a wooded area of Ulea, where officers seized two ready-to-use military firearms with multiple magazines, a large amount of ammunition, a Guardia Civil identification vest, blue priority lights and a signal torch.
These things were allegedly used during the “vuelcos” (overturns) to imitate State Security Forces personnel. The assailants lowered the victims’ reaction time, who were then criminals involved in drug trafficking.
Three members of the criminal cell were arrested following a search of two homes in the municipalities of Murcia and Ricote. The other three were eventually arrested.
Marijuana, cell phones, money, and drug-weighing scales were seized at these residences.
Assault rifles and military magazines
The joint inquiry led to the confiscation of an AK47 assault rifle, an ACP9 submachine gun, war weapon magazines, several rounds of ammunition in various calibres, balaclavas, police jackets, a high-end vehicle, marijuana, and other goods.
The criminal cell also acted in AlmerÃa, where they stole a high-end vehicle with forged license plates. This vehicle and another taken in Murcia were discovered in a scrapyard in the area.
The legal authorities have ordered the two major suspects’ immediate remand in custody.
Author: Derek Appleton
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