Major operation against drug trafficking in Barcelona with several simultaneous raids

BarcelonaA major anti-drug operation is underway in Barcelona this Monday morning. The Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) and the city's Guardia Urbana (Barcelona's municipal police) are currently conducting raids at various locations throughout the Catalan capital, primarily in the Raval neighborhood, according to ARA. The operation, which has mobilized over 200 officers, involves approximately fifteen raids, and several arrests are expected.

Security agents are raiding suspected drug storage and sales points. As this newspaper has confirmed, two raids have been carried out on Salvador Street. One was in a ground-floor apartment, and agents had to gain entry by banging on a metal door. They asked for cooperation from those present, but they refused to open the door. Therefore, they forced entry and detained the five people inside. The investigation has been ongoing since January.

According to police sources, this operation targets not only drug dens but also the higher-level networks that supply the drugs ultimately sold. Specifically, officers are raiding ten points of sale: three residences and two commercial premises. Deputy Mayor for Security, Albert Batlle, stated that Monday's operation sends a "strong" message to drug traffickers. He also said it is a "message of reassurance" to the public. Batlle emphasized that drugs are one of Barcelona's main problems.