Operation to curb growing gangs in Nou Barris and Barcelona
Joint action began when the National Police and the Barcelona City Police launched a coordinated operation in the Nou Barris district. A new restriction on the neighborhood was put in place last Tuesday as authorities moved to halt a budding gang network that appeared to be taking root in Spain. Police sources indicate that about a decade ago a similar attempt by this type of organization was already thwarted. While the current gang, dubbed by some as a local “clique” or “tribe,” may not resemble larger cartels in size, its appearance signaled a serious threat to local security. The message from police officials is clear: such structures will not be allowed to grow in Spain. This is considered a matter of national security by authorities in the United States and Spain alike, with the National Police leading the investigation.
The operation led to fifteen arrests, and more arrests are anticipated in the coming days. Investigators say there are dozens of suspected members under scrutiny who could face expulsion from the country. The group’s leader, however, appears to have lived in Spain for several years, strengthening the case for a broader crackdown. An official from the General Information Commissioner’s office emphasized the seriousness of the threat and the intent to dismantle the organization at its core.
“click”
The National Police and the Civil Guard are part of a larger international task force confronting the rise of gangs. The joint task force, known as Vulcan, includes partners from the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and Spain. Unlike some Latino youth gangs, described by authorities as enduring groups that maintain close affiliations for life, the focus here is on dismantling a network that coordinates across borders and uses local structures to extend its reach. Police sources noted the group’s behavior and communications as key indicators of a formal criminal organization. The aim is to stop the spread of this model and its influence.
The group targeting Nou Barris, located in the 18th district, was led by a 37-year-old individual with a police record who acted on instructions from his country of origin, as investigators uncovered through international connections. The operation revealed the creation of a local unit, or “clique,” that handled activities such as human trafficking, large-scale drug dealing, and violent enforcement. The discovery supports concerns about the growth of new criminal structures that adopt the leader’s commands and spread through communities.
Alarm in Honduran communities
Authorities named the operation to protect because its objective was to prevent the clique from establishing a foothold in Nou Barris and to safeguard the Honduran community in that area, which feared expansion of gang influence. Hondurans living in Barcelona reported worries that their children could be drawn into criminal activity or become targets of violence or retaliation against relatives back home in Honduras. Police sources described the community’s fear and distress as mounting as the gang’s potential reach grew.
According to EL PERIÓDICO, before the National Police began investigating, several youths had already been detained, some underage. Reports highlighted behavior patterns seen in other Latino gangs, including attempts to establish regional dominance, engage in public crimes, and conduct recruitment rituals in schools. Teachers had begun to warn about students showing behavioral problems linked to the gang’s influence, prompting municipal authorities to coordinate with Madrid authorities.
Coordinated surge and arrests
The General Information Commissioner liaised with the City Police to share ground information. Last Tuesday, fifteen members of the organization were arrested. Authorities searched two houses and a bar in Nou Barris believed to be central to the group’s operations, and also conducted raids on two apartments in Sant Andreu and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Police seized symbols of the gang, bladed weapons, cash, and computer equipment during the operations.
All those arrested were adults; minors were excluded from the operation. Police sources indicate the clique has been implicated in assaults, violent robberies, and drug trafficking. The intervention aimed to curb the group’s growth before it could escalate into more serious crimes.
Related posts:
Joint Barcelona Police Action Targets Honduran-Led Youth Gangs Graffiti, Gangs, and Territorial Marks in Madrid: A Closer Look Mass Detention of Bubu Gang Suspects Highlights Spain’s Coordinated Drug-Trafficking Crackdown Madrid’s Youth Gang Strategy: Arrests, Demographics, and Enforcement Barcelona at Montjuïc Olympic Stadium: cost, access, history, location and capacity Sevilla at Camp Nou: A historic struggle against Barcelona REWRITE_RESULT_TITLE_PLACEHOLDER Barcelona vs Espanyol: La Liga Catalan Derby at Camp Nou Kings League playoffs set for Camp Nou, a landmark finish at FC Barcelona’s stadium Palma Bus Stabbing Linked to Violent Juvenile Gang Rewritten: Incident in Nou Barris Echoes Past Crimes and a Fresh Court Case National Police Crackdown on Banking Cyber Fraud Network Across Spain