Operation against theft of critical infrastructure
On April 2, the Mossos d’Esquadra managed to deactivate a criminal organization dedicated to the theft of batteries and copper in telecommunications facilities in Catalonia. This operation culminated in the arrest of four individuals between the ages of 34 and 46, accused of perpetrating robberies in various centers in Vallbona d’Anoia, Códol de Castellar, Guardiola de Berguedà and Sant Martí Vell.
The origin of the research
The investigation began in November 2024, when a telecommunications company denounced the loss of batteries of a repeater in Vallbona d’Anoia. This theft caused the coverage to be disrupted in the area, leaving the surrounding areas incommunicado for four hours, including essential emergency services.
Mode of operation sofisticat
The researchers discovered that the group operated with a well -structured plan. They chose their goals meticulously, defining alternative routes and specific schedules to avoid being detected. They used rental vehicles and mobile phones registered in third party names to prevent traceability, and managed the transfer of stolen material quickly to dumps.
Hierarchical structure and leadership
The group worked with a clear hierarchy, with a leader who had a firm control over the other members. This leader manipulated those who recruited, offering false promises of accommodation and work in exchange for their loyalty and participation in criminal activities. This allowed planning of thefts without exposed excessively.
Police and arrests
After months of monitoring, UCM agents linked the group to more than twenty similar robberies, accrediting their participation in four specific cases. In addition to Vallbona d’Anoia, the robberies occurred in Códol de Castellar, Guardiola de Berguedà and Sant Martí Vell between January and February 2025, with losses exceeding 10,000 euros.
Final operation and discoveries
On March 19, the Mossos made records in Llagostera and Girona, where three members of the group arrested and found documentation related to theft, as well as a marijuana cultivation facility with almost 5 kg of buds. The leader of the group, who was not at home during the records, was later detained, thus completing the disarticulation of the organization.
Consequences and implications
The detainees, who accumulate more than 60 background, have been made to court, and the investigation has revealed not only the criminal activity related to telecommunications, but also possible connections to marijuana cultivation. This operation emphasizes the importance of surveillance and rapid response to theft of critical infrastructure for public safety.