Guardia Civil dismantles criminal networks and probes corruption in Spain

The Guardia Civil has conducted a wave of operations across Spain. In Barcelona, agents seized 220 g of marijuana and 52 g of hashish from a passenger. A joint raid in Tarragona disrupted a fake‑goods supply chain, detaining 28 people and seizing 25,699 counterfeit items. The central unit (UCO) reported contract‑rigging that favoured businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés. In Palma, the association Ben Amics filed a criminal complaint over alleged irregularities in the hiring of a communication agency for the LGBT Pride events.

A multinational criminal group known as “Clan Preda” was broken up after raids in A Coruña, the Canary Islands and the United Kingdom, leading to 11 arrests, 24 charges and the freezing of €4.8 million linked to airport thefts of perfume and tobacco. Separate operations uncovered a €9 million money‑laundering scheme tied to online scams, resulting in nine arrests and the seizure of luxury assets. Other investigations included a cocaine stash hidden in a vehicle in Guareña (1 kg), a cannabis‑farm bust in Pallejà (2,383 plants, five arrested), a mobile‑theft ring in Valencia (six detained, 21 victims), and a spying case in Albacete (a 24‑year‑old arrested for illicit access to an ex‑partner’s social‑media accounts). Political scrutiny also intensified, with a senator accusing the regional minister of failing to assume responsibility for the “Koldo” corruption case.

These actions illustrate a broad crackdown on drug trafficking, counterfeit trade, airport theft, money‑laundering and alleged procurement fraud.