The Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested 12 alleged members of a criminal organization dedicated to marijuana trafficking and arms dealing outside legal channels in an operation with its epicenter in the city of Lleida. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1,300 marijuana plants and an arsenal consisting of 16 pistols, ammunition, and a Civil War grenade without explosive charge.
The investigation began at the end of 2025 and allowed the police to draw the structure of the group, which allegedly operated in a hierarchical manner. At the top was a management dome, below it a level in charge of logistics and finance, and at the base the so-called gardeners, who took care of the crops.
Searches in Lleida and Seròs
The police operation was deployed on April 21 with six entries and searches in Lleida and one more in Seròs. The investigators located the plantations in industrial warehouses, homes, and underground spaces, all of them with presumably fraudulent connections to the electrical grid.
During the searches, the Mossos seized 16 pistols, both firearms and pneumatic, in addition to ammunition. Among the seized material there was also a Civil War grenade, although without explosive charge.
Arrests in four cities
The arrests were carried out in Lleida, Cambrils, Sabadell and Vilanova i la Geltrú. The arrested are between 25 and 73 years old and are being investigated for alleged membership of a criminal group, drug trafficking, electricity fraud and illegal possession of weapons.
The detainees were brought before the court on April 23 before the investigating court of Lleida, which has taken charge of the case. The investigation now focuses on specifying the scope of the activity attributed to the group and the trajectory of the material seized in this operation.