Catalan police take part in international operation leading to 382 arrests

The Catalan police – the Mossos d'Esquadra – have taken part in an international operation involving law enforcement from 17 European countries that resulted in 382 arrests, four of which were in Catalonia. 

The collaborative effort to tackle organized crime across the continent has also led to 37 new investigations launched, around one thousand searches, and the confiscation of 91 firearms, 15 hand grenades, plus ammunition, 304 kg of heroin, 147 kg of cannabis, 5,402 marijuana plants and 1.3 kg of cocaine. 

The Mossos d'Esquadra, along with Spain's Guardia Civil and National Police, carried out various operations at strategic locations in Catalonia such as border points, bus and train stations and service areas. 

Within Catalonia, 234 police officers took part, 146 of whom were from the Mossos d'Esquadra. The rest were officers from the Guardia Civil and National Police. In total, 163 people in Catalonia were questioned and four arrests were made. 

Tackling organized crime 

The operation was part of a series of days of joint action at a European level to combat crimes associated with organized crime. 

The joint action days took place between 18 and 25 September within the framework of Europol's European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT). 

The first phase involved coordination between the various police forces and sharing of intelligence. Subsequently, between October 26 and 29, the operational phase took place, with checkpoints established on roads such as the AP-7 motorway, which traverses Catalonia from north to south. 

Police were active at various border points, bus and train stations, and service areas in Barcelona, Tarragona and Girona. 

17 countries 

The countries involved in the overall operation, which has led to almost 400 arrests, are Germany, Bosnia, Italy, Serbia, Spain, United Kingdom, Montenegro, Moldova, Turkey, Kosovo, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia, Romania, Sweden and Ukraine.