The Civil Guard dismantled a Ukrainian-led gang operating across Vega Baja and nearby municipalities in the Region of Murcia, including Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Catral, Guardamar, Pilar de la Horadada, and San Pedro del Pinatar. The operation targeted a group that focused on looting rather than defending Ukrainian refugees from the war effort. In total, seven robberies were linked to the gang, and seven searches in Torrevieja led to the seizure of cash, jewelry, watches, stamp collections, and other valuables valued at more than 1,250,000 euros. Authorities say the suspects used the chaos of the refugee influx to select vulnerable targets and carry out attacks, with several victims reporting they were refugees who had fled their home countries last year.
Those arrested were primarily Ukrainian, with all but three of the detainees described as of Russian descent who allegedly supplied the means for the crimes. Prosecutors indicate the suspects were aware many refugees arrived in Spain last year with savings and valuables, making them attractive targets. At least one house belonging to a Spanish family was also attacked.
The court handling Orihuela No. 2 ordered the arrest of seven detainees and the restraint of liberty and bank accounts for three others. Several of those detained received legal representation from Francisco Miguel Galiana Botella and Alicia Grau. The operation, presented to the public by the deputy government representative in Alicante and other Civil Guard commanders, underscores ongoing concerns about refugee-related crime in the region.
Women
The victims included Ukrainian women, many accompanied by children who fled the war. Their relatives remained in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict. The fear for the relatives and the losses suffered by these refugees added to the sense of danger faced by many residents as assets were stolen. The Civil Guard says the operation will help recover a substantial portion of the stolen property.
Investigators began their inquiry in the middle of last year after a series of forceful robberies occurred at residences in Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, the homes of Ukrainian refugees.
What emerged from the investigation shows that offenders close to the victims studied routines, frequented malls in Vega Baja, and tracked victims’ movements. Cars were monitored, geolocation was used to time the break-ins, and locks were picked with minimal signs of forced entry. Some doors were opened without visible damage, allowing the thieves to leave little trace.
One of the records shows a weapon seized in Torrevieja during the investigation. The documents also indicate that the criminals tampered with different locks, keys, and other tools to gain access, and that the group practiced opening doors before attempting break-ins.
Three Russian citizens detained in the operation did not participate in the actual robberies or the financial execution of the crimes. A married couple and their son, who owned a large number of vehicles, allegedly facilitated transportation and access for the Ukrainian suspects and others involved.
Abuse of operation
The Civil Guard carried out arrests in mid-February of the previous year, including seven searches in Torrevieja in which sums amounting to 92,700 dollars and 92,065 euros were seized, along with a large quantity of jewelry, high-value accessories such as watches, bags, perfumes, and sunglasses, plus numerous mobile phones and other electronics. Geolocation data and jammers to override alarm systems were among the tools found, along with unlocking kits used to access homes.
Also recovered were two philatelic albums worth half a million euros, stolen from a house in Horadada.
Those arrested face charges of theft across seven homes tied to the criminal group and offenses related to people’s privacy due to the geolocation tracking used on victims. The operation was named Goverla and was conducted by the Heritage Team of the Organic Division of the Judicial Police Alicante Civil Guard and the Organized Crime Team ECO Levante of the Central Operating Unit in Alicante.