# Spanish copper theft network faces sentencing

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-copper-theft-targeting-infrastructure
> Updated: 2026-08-07T07:33:43.000Z. Sources: 58. Developments: 2.

In July 2026 Spanish authorities dismantled a criminal network stealing copper and solar‑cable material from photovoltaic installations in Seville (Operation Stannum). A second ring was broken up in August 2026 in Granada and Jaén (Operation Far Requiem), targeting railway signalling, public lighting and video‑surveillance systems.

On 7 August 2026 police in Guadalajara province intercepted a van carrying about 300 kg of copper cable stolen from an ADIF railway catenary in Humanes de Mohernando. Six men, two of them minors, were arrested and the material, valued at roughly €24,400, was recovered.

Later that month, Spanish courts sentenced the six men to six years in prison for the theft, confirming the seriousness of the offence and underscoring the link between organized copper‑theft and risks to railway safety. Authorities continue coordinated crackdowns on organized groups targeting Spain’s transport and renewable‑energy infrastructure.

The series of operations and the subsequent convictions illustrate an ongoing effort to disrupt illegal scrap markets and protect critical infrastructure from material theft.

## Claims

- The First Collegiate Tribunal of the National District rescheduled the full reading of the sentence for September 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The trial involved 36 accused, including 29 individuals and seven legal entities. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The trial lasted approximately 658 calendar days. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The judgment orders an indemnification of RD$5 billion to the state. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The oral presentation of the dispositive part of the sentence lasted approximately 11 hours. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The dispositive part of the sentence contains 41 ordinal provisions across 88 pages. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The legal deadline for completing the written sentence was September 8, 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The court sentenced Adán Cáceres and Juan Carlos Torres Robiou to 20 years of imprisonment. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-07: Dominican Republic court delays Coral case sentence reading

The Dominican Republic's First Collegiate Tribunal has rescheduled the full reading of the Coral and Coral 5G corruption case sentence to September 23, 2026, citing the need for further review.

58 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/criminal-coppertheft-ring-busted-in-granada-and-jan

### 2026-07-20: Seville police dismantle copper‑theft ring targeting solar farms

Seville’s Guardia Civil operation Stannum arrested four members of a copper‑theft gang targeting solar farms, seizing two tonnes of copper and 250 kg of solar cable, with damages exceeding €300,000.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seville-police-dismantle-coppertheft-ring-targeting-solar-farms

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Cite as: Spanish copper theft network faces sentencing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-copper-theft-targeting-infrastructure