The operation in Alicante, carried out by Civil Security units, marks a bold moment in efforts to disrupt drug cultivation and distribution. Early on a Tuesday, gunfire erupted as investigators began a warrant sweep at a chalet in El Moralet aimed at dismantling a cannabis network. The danger was real, and the team moved quickly to contain the situation while ensuring the safety of nearby residents and officers. This account reflects the sequence of events from the perspective of those involved in the search and seizure operation, as reported by authorities and corroborated by on-site observations.
A 73-year-old property owner and his spouse were detained amid the confrontation. The owner, who has said his actions were motivated by a fear of intruders, was taken into custody alongside his partner after the exchange of gunfire—an incident that temporarily escalated the operation. Civil guards faced a tense moment when the occupants responded with weapons during the search of the premises.
In total, six individuals were arrested in connection with a coordinated effort aimed at curbing cannabis cultivation and the trafficking of various substances. Investigators conducted searches at three separate residences, uncovering quantities of drugs including cannabis and other controlled substances. The operation, which began with the discovery of a suspicious parcel tied to the illicit cannabis supply chain, culminated in the detention of those responsible and the seizure of several firearms and related equipment. The authorities described the scene in El Moralet as the locus of a significant confrontation, and a barricade situation persisted for approximately one hour as police secured the area and completed their procedures at the station. These actions formed part of a broader crackdown known as SARPA, initiated earlier in the year in response to intelligence about cross-border drug shipments.
No officers were seriously injured.
During the incident, four Civil Guards sustained gunshot wounds and a fifth officer was injured while retreating from the scene. The chalet involved in the shooting was identified as the focal point of the encounter. An accompanying alert noted the seizure of a substantial cache of weaponry and other items as investigators secured four addresses in Alicante and the nearby San Vicente del Raspeig. A search and seizure operation linked to the SARPA plan yielded important results in this case, including the seizure of 50 kilograms of marijuana as investigators worked to interrupt the distribution network.
The injured officers received medical attention at Alicante General Hospital, with authorities reporting that none of the injuries were life-threatening. The day’s actions also included the removal of seized items and firearms from the scene as evidence. The broader objective of the operation was to disrupt the production and distribution pipeline and to dismantle the organized network behind these illicit activities, thereby reducing the supply chain across regional borders. The account below reflects the official narrative provided by the responding units and subsequent procedural updates, with attribution to the pertinent authorities and their press communications.