The Civil Guard, acting within its mandate to protect public health and safety, reports that 49 individuals have been arrested on charges related to crimes against public health connected with cannabis cultivation across the Seville region. In the course of these operations, 31 searches targeted marijuana farms in towns including Carmona, La Rinconada, Lebrija, Los Alcores, Utrera, Brenes, Guillena, Los Palacios, and Mairena. The seizures comprised 6,292 cannabis plants and 907 kilograms of cannabis, largely in bud form, highlighting the scope of the crackdown described in a Civil Guard press release. According to official statements, authorities recovered additional equipment and materials used on the sites as part of the investigations, including air conditioning units, gas aspirators, centrifuges, lighting equipment, and other devices frequently found on illicit cannabis setups.
The actions also led to the seizure of weapons, such as a long firearm and a short gun, underscoring the potential risks associated with these operations and the need for robust safety measures during raids, as detailed in the Civil Guard release. The overall response reflects a commitment to preventing illegal drug production from impacting communities and to ensuring that firearms and other dangerous items are removed from circulation where illegal activity is involved.
Beyond the immediate health concerns, cannabis fields pose broader risks, including the possibility of electrical fraud and the danger of fires due to unsafe electrical installations. These factors, along with other criminal activities linked to cannabis cultivation, prompted the Seville Command of the Civil Guard to establish a specialized unit, the Research Group Against Cannabis (GIM). The creation of GIM reflects a strategic shift toward focused, coordinated investigations of cannabis cultivation and distribution networks rather than isolated incidents.
GIM operates as a dedicated team within the Civil Guard, working alongside other investigative and citizen security units. Its mandate includes promoting and conducting inquiries into activities related to cannabis cultivation and distribution, leveraging information from the public and data from other institutions and companies. The unit aims to disrupt criminal routes, dismantle production sites, and safeguard communities by addressing the broader criminal ecosystem that often accompanies cannabis operations.
Officials emphasize that the fight against cannabis-related crime goes beyond plant counts and seizures. It encompasses dismantling the infrastructure that supports illicit production, preventing electrical scams that can accompany hidden grow operations, and reducing the potential hazards posed to residents by unsafe facilities. The Civil Guard indicates that public cooperation remains a crucial element of these efforts, helping investigators identify cultivation sites, suppliers, and distribution channels while reinforcing community safety.