A major operation has ended in the province of Toledo to dismantle one of the most aggressive youth gangs of recent years. Civil Guard officers arrested four members, three of whom turned out to be minors. All of them belonged to the so-called ‘AB7,’ closely linked to the notorious Trinitarios gang.
The group’s activities extended to several cities in the region. According to investigators, the young people were involved in extortion, threats, as well as organizing attacks and other crimes. Local residents were especially alarmed by the fact that most members were teenagers, and their victims were often minors as well.
How the criminal network operated
The organization had a strict hierarchy and internal rules. Each new member was assigned a specific role, while leadership oversaw the distribution of duties. Within the group, a structure called ‘CORO’ was responsible for coordinating actions and maintaining discipline.
The investigation began after a series of incidents sparked concern in small towns across Toledo. Residents reported a rise in youth aggression and new forms of intimidation and pressure. It soon became clear that the same group was behind most of these cases.
Recruitment via the internet and involving teenagers
Investigators paid special attention to how the gang recruited new members. Most were found through social networks, where teenagers were persuaded to join with promises of protection, acceptance, and easy money. In some cases, minors were encouraged to leave home and fully dedicate themselves to the organization.
Within the gang, each member had a specific role: some were responsible for gathering information, others for extortion or participating in attacks. All activities aimed to raise funds to finance the group’s operations.
Arrest details and ongoing investigation
The arrests were carried out by Toledo’s Civil Guard organized crime unit with support from the juvenile prosecutor’s office. As a result, not only were key suspects detained, but the gang’s internal structure was completely dismantled.
All those detained face charges of making threats, inflicting bodily harm, extortion, and participating in a criminal organization. The investigation is ongoing, and further episodes and possible accomplices may soon be uncovered.
Public reaction and preventive measures
A surge in youth gang activity in Toledo has raised serious concerns among parents and educators. Regional authorities have already announced plans to strengthen preventive measures in schools and social institutions to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Experts note that modern criminal groups increasingly use the internet to recruit new members. This calls for new strategies to combat such phenomena and closer cooperation between law enforcement, educational institutions, and families.
