Five individuals were taken into custody by civil guards following an early case in the Marina Alta region. The group included four men and one woman, aged between 22 and 49, who are alleged to have been involved in a large-scale avocado theft from a property near the Beniarbeig estate. They were later released on charges and precautionary measures after being referred to the Denia Instruction Court No. 3 on suspicions of extortion by force. These details come from the official incident report and subsequent court documentation. (police report, current as of this publication)
The arrest unfolded after the Pedreguer Civil Guard Station received a police notification in mid-November about suspicious activity in an avocado-growing plot in Beniarbeig. Central Operational Services (COS) indicated that five unidentified persons had been seen on the property, which is dedicated to avocado cultivation. (COS summary, mid-November report)
Arrest
Responding officers from the Pedreguer station arrived at the scene and confronted two men nearby and a woman inside the property. As the patrol continued, two more individuals who had left the area were located and brought into custody. (police action log)
During a thorough perimeter check, police found an opening cut in the fence that allowed access to the site. Inside, investigators discovered eight bags nearly stacked in the same manner, each bag containing roughly 40 kilograms of avocados. The pattern suggested a planned operation rather than a chance trespass. (on-site inventory, incident photos)
Following evidence that linked these persons to an avocado theft, authorities formally arrested them on charges of robbery by force. The operation underscored a swift response that prevented further losses and aided in securing the property. (arrest warrants, police report)
In a rapid turn of events, the civil guards intercepted the thieves, recovered a total of 320 kilograms of avocados, and arranged for the fruits to be returned to their rightful owners. The response highlighted the effectiveness of ongoing patrols in rural agricultural zones and the importance of prompt action to protect farmers and their crops. (incident outcome, field notes)