National Police Disrupts Organized Gang In Alicante and Vega Baja
In the Alicante region and the Vega Baja area, authorities dismantled an organized gang that targeted homes with violent home invasions and forced robberies using firearms. During the operation, six individuals were taken into custody, mostly in Dolores. Local law enforcement seized a range of items tied to illicit activity, including a Taser-like device and five incendiary devices resembling Molotov cocktails.
Arrests were made with several defendants facing prosecution, including one represented by attorney Sara Cabezas Campos. Some members had reportedly received military training in Eastern European nations, while others were detained after being brought before police or courts in Orihuela. The detainees included Lithuanian, Bulgarian, and Spanish nationals, aged between 29 and 47.
The inquiry involved specialists from the Specialized Crime Group within the Alicante Judicial Police Brigade and the Narcotics Group, who participated in the investigation alongside other units.
The case began after a Bulgarian national with a long criminal history was released from detention. Investigators assessed that the individual continued to pursue criminal activity and sought to reconstitute a criminal network, prompting covert monitoring and surveillance measures.
In this line of inquiry, investigators identified all suspected members of the organization and located their residence and a warehouse used to store tools and equipment.
Evidence showed that the gang had been involved in a gunman attack on a villa in Cañada del Fenollar, Alicante. The assailants fled quickly after threatening residents with a firearm. They were also linked to an attempted robbery of a luxury vehicle in San Miguel de Salinas, where firearms were used against a couple.
Further inquiries established that the criminal group was capable of committing serious offenses against people, and a large police operation was mobilized to apprehend those involved. Four alleged members were arrested in the town of Dolores near a garage believed to be the base of operations.
The operation included the seizure of a ship-like vehicle containing a substantial cache of tools and equipment, such as portable communication devices, six ballistic vests, military helmets, stun devices, compressed air pistols, gloves, balaclavas, heavy mallets, flanges, ties, and an industrial vacuum sealer. Also found were a cash counter and other assorted items. Five ready-to-use Molotov cocktails were recovered, with TEDAX specialists brought in to ensure safe handling and intervention.
The National Police regards the gang as dismantled, with members facing charges related to participation in a criminal organization, robbery with violence or intimidation, illegal possession of weapons and explosives, and wounding.
[Attribution: National Police source description of the operation and findings.]