Barcelona supermarkets have been caught in a major crackdown on illegal electricity theft.
A joint operation by multiple authorities has exposed 24 establishments across six city districts for illegally tapping into public street lighting networks.
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The investigation, which also uncovered serious safety and labour violations, highlights significant risks to public security.
Widespread Fraud Uncovered Across City Districts
The operation, codenamed ‘Nihari’, involved 66 Guardia Civil officers, 35 Barcelona Urban Guard agents, 12 National Police officers, 11 labour inspectors, and 33 Endesa technicians. They inspected 26 supermarkets, finding illegal electrical connections in 24 of them. These establishments were located in Nou Barris, Sant Andreu, Sant Martí, Gràcia, Eixample, and Ciutat Vella districts.
According to the Barcelona City Council, the illegal manipulations and connections to the electrical network constitute fraud and present grave safety risks. The estimated stolen energy amounts to 2.85 million kilowatts, equivalent to the annual consumption of 814 homes. Consequently, the Guardia Civil has opened an investigation into 26 people for electricity fraud.
Multiple Safety And Labour Violations Found
Beyond electricity theft, authorities documented numerous additional violations. The Urban Guard issued 87 reports for safety, hygiene, and regulatory breaches. These included deficient emergency exits, missing fire extinguishers, poor signage, and expired food products. Furthermore, the operation revealed broader compliance issues affecting Barcelona’s commercial landscape.
The Guardia Civil initiated 16 separate proceedings for offences including smuggling, incorrect product labelling, lack of video surveillance notices, missing business details on receipts, food safety issues with expired products, tampered weighing scales, non-compliance with anti-smoking measures, and absence of food handling certificates. This comprehensive inspection underscores the complex regulatory challenges facing local businesses.
Labour Exploitation And Irregular Status Identified
National Police officers focused on immigration matters during the operation, identifying 59 individuals. Shockingly, five were determined to be victims of labour exploitation. Additionally, five were foreign nationals residing or working in Spain without proper authorisation. Authorities have begun proceedings to clarify employer responsibilities in these cases.
The Barcelona City Council has warned that illegal electrical connections create dangerous overloads, inadequate insulation, and manipulated electrical panels that can cause short circuits and fires. This risk is particularly acute as many affected premises are ground-floor commercial units in residential buildings with high foot traffic and proximity to garages and storage areas. The operation has successfully cut off illegal supplies and initiated procedures to ensure establishment safety.
This crackdown comes amid broader concerns about commercial compliance in the city. For instance, recent reports show that a significant portion of Barcelona shop signage does not comply with local language regulations. Meanwhile, the city continues to address complex housing and commercial pressures, including measures to support residents in limiting tourist apartments within their buildings.
Barcelona supermarkets involved in this electricity theft operation now face multiple legal proceedings. The coordinated response demonstrates authorities’ commitment to addressing both economic fraud and public safety concerns simultaneously. Regular citizens should remain vigilant about commercial establishments that might compromise safety standards for financial gain.
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