Officials from the Nature Conservation Service of the Alicante Civil Guard, known as Seprona, conducted a wide inquiry into an incident involving the extraction of iron from an old Rabasa ceramics factory. The operation was linked to the theft of 450 tons of iron and the illicit dismantling of a facility built with asbestos cement, a material now tightly regulated due to health risks. Suspects included two metal recycling businesses accused of purchasing the stolen metal and facilitating the crime. Those involved faced charges for iron theft, damage to natural resources, and environmental crimes tied to improper disposal of asbestos material, which had accumulated in significant quantities during the operation.
The investigation began after a Seprona patrol observed the demolition of an industrial site. The Rabasa facility, previously used for ceramics production and trading, represented a target for dismantling activities. Officials conducted a thorough site inspection and identified several individuals actively dismantling components of the plant.
Law enforcement traced the factory owner and confirmed that the thieves exploited a period of downtime to use professional equipment to tear down the building. The operation involved cutting beams and other iron components from ships and similar structures, with the stolen metal later moved to a trading establishment for resale. Investigators estimate the total stolen iron reached about 450 tons.
The project area was constructed with asbestos cement, a material historically valued for its strength and heat resistance but now banned in many applications because of its potential to cause serious lung diseases and other health problems. Safe removal and management of remaining asbestos require authorization and strict safety protocols, with registered companies in approved programs ensuring proper handling of asbestos waste. Authorities emphasize the importance of compliant procedures to avoid health risks.
Legal Actions and Suspect Profiling
The Civil Guard’s inquiry identified fourteen Spaniards, thirteen men and one woman, aged between 22 and 40, connected to the case. Twelve individuals were charged with theft and related offenses, including crimes against natural resources and the environment for manipulating asbestos cement without appropriate permissions and without employing safe methods. Investigators also connected these individuals to the illegal handling and possible discharge of asbestos. Two other suspects, tied to the sites where stolen iron was concentrated, faced reception and related charges for their role in coordinating the illicit trade.
Seprona conducted multiple audits across various institutions involved in the used metal trade within the province. The operation led to the recovery of approximately 10.5 tons of iron from the factory at two inspected facilities. In parallel, Seprona analyzed microcement samples from the site and submitted them to the Civil Guard Criminalistics Service Environmental Laboratory to determine the precise type and quantity of asbestos present in the construction materials.
Retired materials and dismantling practices were reviewed to assess environmental impact and to prevent further illegal activity. The ongoing case illustrates the collaboration between environmental authorities and law enforcement to curb the illegal trade of ferrous metals and to uphold safety standards for hazardous substances in industrial settings. Attributions refer to official statements and investigations conducted by the Civil Guard and associated environmental units.