National Police agents have proceeded this week to the expulsion of more than one hundred repeat offenders in Barcelona and its metropolitan area. The operations have been concentrated in districts of the Catalan capital and neighboring municipalities, acting under judicial and administrative orders to remove suspects accused of systematically reoffending from the territory.
Figures and dismantling of networks
Official data confirm a notable increase in returns compared to previous years. While last year 441 forced departures were recorded, recent activity has set in motion coordinated operations that have made it possible to remove 21 foreign citizens with more than 170 prior records for property crimes, drug trafficking, illegal detentions, and attempted homicides. Among them were alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Institutional collaboration has also resulted in the departure of more than 35 high-risk suspects with more than 300 previous records under the Kanpai plan against repeat offending.
Territorial Protocol and Coordination
The administrative procedure begins at the Government Sub-delegation or before the judicial authority when the investigated individuals accumulate several pending criminal cases. The officers request identifying documentation from the corresponding consulates and process the expulsion decrees. Once the authorizations are obtained, the arrest of the suspects is executed in less than 72 hours, thanks to the joint work with the Mossos d'Esquadra. The detainees who remained admitted to the Center for Internment of Foreigners in Barcelona are transferred along with the rest to Madrid. There, the cases are handed over to the Central Unit for Repatriations, which coordinates flights from countries such as Colombia and Peru by land, air, or sea transport.
Institutional Response and Regulatory Framework
"We work effectively and act firmly within the law" - Carlos Prieto, Government Delegate
The head of state has underlined that the priority is to improve the system's effectiveness and reduce the perception of impunity in response to citizen concerns. The National Police has reiterated that transfers are carried out guaranteeing fundamental rights and following protocols that rule out discriminatory practices. The modifications approved in the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Law will introduce specific aggravating factors to combat this crime. These changes will strengthen the presence of judges and prosecutors in the files, speeding up resolutions. Police action continues to monitor areas of highest incidence to maintain public safety throughout Catalan territory.