A dramatic police chase on the A-7 ended with the discovery of eight AK47 rifles. Four Spaniards linked to drug trafficking were arrested in Alicante and San Vicente del Raspeig. The operation highlights ongoing security concerns in the region.
Spanish police have detained four individuals in Alicante and San Vicente del Raspeig after a high-speed pursuit on the A-7 led to the discovery of eight AK47 assault rifles, weapons classified as military-grade. The chase, which began near Elche and stretched over 45 kilometers toward Murcia, ended when the suspect's vehicle crashed in Abanilla. Authorities believe all four detainees are connected to a drug trafficking network operating in the area.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of July 2, when officers from the Organized Crime Group of the Alicante police spotted a car driving at excessive speed and performing dangerous maneuvers. As police attempted to follow discreetly, the driver accelerated to over 150 km/h, weaving through various roads and repeatedly ramming police vehicles in an effort to escape. At one point, a police car was forced off the road, resulting in minor injuries to the officers inside and significant damage to their vehicle.
The pursuit intensified as additional police units joined the operation. The suspect eventually lost control, veering into farmland and crashing into a tree in Abanilla. Despite the severe damage to the car and deployed airbags, the driver managed to flee on foot. One pursuing officer suffered minor cuts and bruises after falling into a ravine during the chase. Inside the abandoned vehicle, police discovered eight Kalashnikov rifles with loaded magazines, a find that immediately raised suspicions of links to organized crime and serious offenses such as contract killings or large-scale drug trafficking.
Investigators quickly focused on the crashed car, searching for clues to the fugitive's identity. Documents found inside pointed to possible addresses in Alicante and San Vicente del Raspeig. Over the following days, police identified and located the main suspect and three associates, all Spanish nationals aged between 21 and 43. According to sources cited by EL PAÍS, each has a substantial criminal record, primarily for serious drug-related offenses.
All four are now facing charges of possession of weapons of war and membership in a criminal group. The driver, in addition, is accused of traffic offenses, assaulting law enforcement officers, and causing property damage. On Thursday morning, the suspects appeared before a judge in Alicante for a preliminary hearing.
This case comes amid heightened attention to road safety and organized crime in Spain. Recent incidents, such as the fatal crash involving Iván Sanz Cid reported in another high-profile traffic investigation, have underscored the risks posed by reckless driving and criminal activity on Spanish highways. The seizure of military-grade firearms in Alicante highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating the intersection of drug trafficking and armed violence.
Spain's National Police continue to prioritize operations against organized crime, particularly in regions like Alicante and Murcia, where drug routes and arms trafficking often intersect. The use of high-powered weapons by criminal groups remains a significant concern for authorities, prompting ongoing efforts to disrupt these networks and prevent further escalation of violence. The outcome of this case is expected to influence future policing strategies in the region.
