In Almería, Police Seize Three Firearms and Seven Tonnes of Marijuana. Police in Almería have carried out a large-scale operation against drug trafficking. Three firearms and seven tonnes of marijuana were seized, and ten people were arrested. The operation was triggered by constant power outages in three districts of the city.
One of the largest operations against illegal marijuana cultivation in recent years has taken place in Almería. As a result of simultaneous raids in the neighborhoods of El Puche, La Cañada, and Loma Cabrera, police seized three firearms, seven tonnes of marijuana plants, and detained ten people. The operation was a response to regular power outages recorded in these districts, which had prompted complaints from residents.
According to police, the investigation began after signs of illegal cultivation were discovered in several homes: a distinctive smell, constant operation of climate control equipment, and noise from specialized machinery. Inspections confirmed that well-organized plantations with artificial lighting, ventilation, and temperature control systems were operating in a number of houses. During the searches, police found three tonnes of plants ready for harvest, four tonnes of young seedlings, 70 kilograms of dried flowers, and 27 kilograms of hashish.
In addition to the drugs, police seized three firearms with ammunition: a Grand Power .380 Auto pistol with a round in the chamber, a Glock 9mm Parabellum, and a .38 caliber revolver. Nearly 50,000 euros in cash were also found, along with more than 400 items related to cultivation equipment — from lamps and transformers to exhaust fans and 50 air conditioners. All this points to a high level of organization and technical capability within the criminal group.
The investigation was conducted by the Udyco unit as part of Phase V of the Special Security Plan for the Campo de Gibraltar region. It was found that illegal connections to the electricity grid were used to maintain the plantations, which caused frequent power outages for other residents. The detainees are charged with crimes against public health, electricity theft, involvement in a criminal organization, and illegal possession of weapons.
All those detained were taken to the local court. The operation was carried out with the support of rapid response units and the use of drones to monitor the area. Large-scale police actions like this are not uncommon in Spain: recently, the country also hosted major sporting events, such as the match between Alianza Lima and Los Chankas, which was covered in the article about Alianza Lima's victory in Liga 1.
For reference: in recent years, Spain has seen an increase in cases of illegal marijuana cultivation, especially in the southern regions. According to the Ministry of the Interior, such operations make it possible not only to seize large quantities of drugs, but also to uncover electricity theft schemes, which damage infrastructure and pose safety risks for residents. The authorities emphasize that combating such crimes remains one of the law enforcement agencies' top priorities.
