agents Villena and Novelda Civil Guards They dispersed an accused group of roaming vehicle catalytic converter thieves. 150 thefts from these devices Alicante and 14 other provinces. During the operation, three people were arrested in Ibi, where the Romanian gang’s base of operations is located, and two people in Madrid. The Civil Guard confirms that the economic damage caused by the 150 robberies exceeded 170,000 euros. Likewise, investigators brought to justice more than 10,000 catalysts seized at two Madrid junkyards, many of them stolen by the gang.
Two of those arrested, the ringleader and the head of the logistics apparatus, entered the prison after appearing in court in Madrid, while the three arrested in Ibi were released on charges and precautionary measures.
Illuminated robberies were committed in the provinces. Álava, Albacete, Alicante, Asturias, Badajoz, Castellón, Huelva, Jaén, La Rioja, Lugo, Murcia, Salamanca, Santander, Tarragona and Valencia.
“Operation Katabul” was launched last January after an increase in catalyst removal was detected in the municipalities of Villena and Novelda. Investigators revealed that it was a criminal organization. National coverage operating in the Puente Vallecas district of Madrid and requesting information from the municipality. European Union Police Cooperation Agency (Europol).
According to Meritorious, members of the group they moved weekly across geography Stealing Spanish catalysts and staying in remote hotels to be able to perform in several neighboring towns the same night. Among the thieves was an expert driver, who did not hesitate to increase the speed of the vehicle to 180 kilometers per hour on intercity roads.
One of those arrested was the leader of the gang, and his lieutenant was tasked with seizing the vehicles used to carry out the robberies and reserving the hostels where the thieves were staying.
The gang’s high level of specialization was evident both in the way it engaged in criminal activity and in the techniques it used to try to avoid police interference. To avoid police surveillance, gang members took turns moving from Spain to other European countries.
Civil Guard conducted exploitation stage After the operation on 24 May, all the gang members were identified and the necessary evidence was obtained to prove that they were all involved in the crimes revealed. On the one hand, the agents made two calls. Vallekas Bridgeone in a building where the base of operations is located, and the other in a nearby location where they hold tools used for robberies and various stolen materials. Inside Madrid The boss and his lieutenant were arrested, while the other three members of the gang were arrested at a hotel in Ibi at the same time they returned from stealing various catalysts.
Various vehicles used in the robberies, 70 grams of crystal methamphetamine, numerous mobile phone terminals, five mid-range vehicles, US$ 17,000 and other economic amounts in various currencies were recorded.
The Civil Guard also conducted an inspection the next day at a farm frequented by the gang in Quintanar de la Orden (Toledo), and there a illegal dog breeder. Agents treated 12 dogs of the American Bully and Czech German Shepherd breeds.
The detainees, aged 20 to 47, already have criminal records for similar acts and are charged with membership of a criminal organization, 150 offenses of theft and another charge of drug trafficking. Similarly, various administrative procedures have been arranged for the execution of dog breeding activity without the relevant administrative permits.
The increase in catalyst thefts is due to rising prices of component metals such as palladium and platinum. At the moment price per gram exceeds 50 and 30 euros, respectively. The main function of catalytic converters in vehicles is to reduce pollution by venting gases, and the cost of repair far exceeds the benefit of thieves.
Source: Informacion

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