THE Civil Guard dismantled a criminal organization established in the province of Barcelona, dedicated to drug trafficking. The operation, called Tatare, began in June 2024 and culminated at the end of October with the arrest of ten people and the dismantling of a complex drug production and trafficking infrastructure in the towns of Igualada, Òdena, Jorba and Mediona. The investigation began when the Barcelona Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Team (EDOA) became aware of a group linked to the large-scale production and distribution of marijuana. This group used industrial warehouses equipped for “indoor” cultivation in rural areas that were difficult to access, which made the surveillance work of agents difficult.
In July 2024, after weeks of investigation, agents They detected a cargo hidden in a truck bound for Italywhich was intercepted in La Junquera by agents of the Civil Guard of the Girona command. In the truck were found 295 kg of vacuum-packed marijuana, 263 kg of hashish and an AK-47 type weapon, in perfect working order, as well as a sophisticated concealment system that made it difficult to locate the drugs. The two drivers of the truck, of Spanish nationality, were then arrested.
Thanks to this first intervention, investigators were able to trace a network of companies that operated to provide cover and logistics for drug trafficking activities. One of these companies, located in Igualada and supposedly dedicated to the trade of cannabis-related products, served as a front to facilitate the transport and distribution of large quantities of drugs.
In October 2024, the Civil Guard began a second phase of the operation, carrying out a total of eight searches in houses and industrial warehouses, dismantling two “interior” plantations equipped with sophisticated systems of ventilation, lighting and fertilization to maintain intensive plant growth. . marijuana plants.
Marijuana plantation dismantled by the Armed Institute in the province of Barcelona
In this second phase, 992 marijuana plants, 1,251 cuttings (young shoots intended for propagation) and 736 grams of hashish ready for distribution were seized. Cash and several weapons in the possession of the detainees were also seized, including a Taser, two expandable fenders, ammunition for revolvers and shotgunswhich could have been used to protect the plantations.
The great danger posed by this criminal organization motivated the activation of the Special Intervention Unit (UEI) of the Civil Guard, an elite unit specialized in complex operations and risky situations. They benefited from the support of units based within the Barcelona Command: the Reserve and Security Group (GRS), the Citizen Security Unit (USECIC) and the Cynological Group.
In this operation, seven Spanish citizens, two Vietnamese and one Colombian were arrested and placed at the disposal of the Court of First Instance and Investigation 5 of Igualada.
