Truck theft on French roads has hit drivers from Murcia particularly hard, because the route they follow forces them toward La Junquera. The south of France is a hotspot for these crimes, says Pedro Díaz, president of the Regional Federation of Murcia Transport Companies and Associations (Froet).
Díaz notes that this crime, active for years, is not new. It was less frequent in the past, occurring over six or seven years, then not daily. Fuel theft, however, happens every day this year and has escalated in frequency.
The Froet leader calls for decisive action by the gendarmerie. Recently, authorities announced that France activated emergency number 17 to enable carriers to report truck robberies and to facilitate rapid police checks.
The CORG, the Gendarmerie Operations and Intelligence Center, advises drivers to stay inside their trucks until help arrives.
Díaz explains that the most stolen item is fuel because it commands a high price on the black market.
Trucks on international routes out of Spain often fill their tanks before crossing the border, drawn by lower fuel prices on the Iberian Peninsula compared to other parts of Europe.
“You need more than a public statement from authorities,” says Díaz.
Carriers have observed a marked rise in Murcian truck robberies on French soil, particularly when trailers are left parked during mandatory driver breaks along major routes.
In addition to the fuel loss, the problem is intensified by the deliberate damage criminals cause to tanks. Díaz recalls incidents where tanks are punctured with a drill, or where padding and safety locks are breached, because diesel tanks can be more valuable than the fuel itself when stolen.
Díaz believes organized criminal networks and mafias are behind the thefts, with diesel resold through illicit channels. He argues that ending these criminal groups is feasible, but effective police action must be sustained rather than merely announced.
Froet notes that gangs may even transfer fuel directly into tanker tanks, with at least three or four people involved in a single robbery: two handling the tank, and others moving the product to an intermediary or buyer.
A photo caption describing a damaged diesel tank underscores the harsh reality of these incidents.
A Murcian driver describes the dilemma of reporting theft while stranded on a foreign highway. Reporting to the gendarmerie is essential, yet many drivers feel the process is slow and that little changes as a result. The driver questions whether the thieves can be deterred or if the incidents stem from a lack of urgency in the response system.
3,000 Euros per hit
The consequences for drivers extend beyond the immediate fuel loss. Damaged tanks and the need to replace stolen fuel complicate operations, especially when trailers carry perishables. The financial impact is significant and often leaves carriers scrambling to recover costs.
Díaz calculates that the combined cost of stolen fuel and the installation of a new tank equals roughly 3,000 euros per vehicle involved. The situation affects numerous Spanish transport companies, with Murcia bearing the brunt compared to routes that cross into France through Irún. The La Junquera corridor remains the most exposed, according to Froet officials.
As the National Road Transport Committee seeks government support, Fenadismer and other organizations urge French authorities to streamline reporting mechanisms for Spanish carriers and to increase police presence at southern French rest and service areas. They hope the newly introduced emergency number 17 will prove effective, though truckers interviewed by reporters remain skeptical about its immediate impact.
When an emergency call is placed, the gendarmerie dispatches a patrol to the TIR location and directs the driver to the closest gendarmerie brigade if necessary. This step is crucial for filing insurance claims and obtaining timely assistance on the road.
In sum, the ongoing wave of robberies across Spain, and particularly in Murcia, highlights the persistent threat to international trucking through French corridors. The road transport community continues to call for stronger law enforcement, better reporting tools, and practical measures that protect drivers and their cargo from theft and damage.