Catalan police discovered a dozen AK-74 assault rifles in a luxury Porsche Cayenne on the AP-7 motorway near Figueres early on Wednesday morning. This significant find marks the largest seizure of war-grade weapons by the Mossos d'Esquadra to date.
Police sources confirmed the weapons are real and fully functional. Ballistics experts will now conduct definitive tests to confirm they are indeed AK-74 models. Officers surprised two individuals at a rest area on the AP-7. The suspects then fled the scene in a white Citroën C4. Investigators believe the incident points to arms trafficking linked with organised crime, though the investigation remains in its early stages. "Many people like to own these types of rifles, and more than one," a police source stated. "Some want to show them off, others do not hesitate to use them."
Major Weapon Seizure on AP-7
The discovery occurred during a routine patrol on the AP-7. This motorway is a critical transport artery connecting Catalonia with the rest of Europe. Officers spotted the Porsche Cayenne, which had French registration plates, parked at a rest area at kilometre 24 in Figueres. Upon their approach, one individual exited the Porsche. He quickly entered a waiting Citroën C4. Both suspects then drove south, escaping the scene.
Inside the abandoned Porsche, police found vehicle documentation identifying its owner. They also located documents belonging to another French national. Additionally, officers found paperwork linked to a Moroccan man in his early 30s. This individual, recently settled in the Girona area, has a criminal record. He matches the physical description of the person who fled. The vehicle was unlocked, but the keys were missing.
Link to Organised Crime and Drug Trafficking
In the Porsche's boot, officers discovered two raffia sacks containing the dozen Soviet assault rifles. Police believe these weapons are AK-74 models. They were introduced in 1974 as lighter and more precise successors to the AK-47. Police suspect the weapons are ready for use. They cite the "modus operandi" of a pre-dawn transfer involving two vehicles and at least one driver with a criminal history. The quick escape upon seeing police further supports this suspicion.
The AP-7 motorway has become a frequent location for anti-drug operations in recent years. This route serves as a major conduit for illicit goods. The increase in drug trafficking has also led to a rise in firearms. Last year, the Mossos d'Esquadra confiscated 320 firearms across Catalonia. This was a decrease of 100 from the previous year. However, police sources warn that many of these weapons enter Spain via the French border.
Rising Firearms in Catalonia
The Mossos d'Esquadra insist that incidents involving pistols have increased. They attribute this rise directly to marijuana trafficking. Catalonia has become a hub for cannabis cultivation and export. Criminal groups have consequently increased their arsenals to protect their operations. Many weapons originate from Eastern European countries. They find a "second life" in France or Spain.
Investigators have also observed a trend where high-end cars and weapons are used to pay for drugs, rather than cash. A police investigation ending in March led to 21 arrests. This operation uncovered a network bringing weapons from Turkey. They exchanged them for marijuana in Catalonia.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
Officers from the Mossos d'Esquadra's División de Investigación Criminal (DIC) in Girona are now working to determine the origin and intended destination of the seized assault rifles. Scientific police are searching the weapons for fingerprints. The rifles will then move to the ballistics and instrumental traces unit at the Egara central complex in Sabadell, Barcelona. Specialists there will prepare a report on the weapons' condition. They will also check for visible serial numbers. This information is critical for identification, production tracking, and tracing any prior criminal involvement.
Traffic officers alerted other police units and local forces to watch for the fugitives' Citroën C4. They shared partial licence plate details. DIC agents also scanned licence plate readers along the AP-7, from the French border at La Jonquera or Le Perthus. Investigators have also requested information from French authorities. They want to know if the vehicles had previously travelled through French territory.
The Mossos d'Esquadra have consistently warned about the growing presence of war weapons in Catalonia. This is particularly true in the provinces of Barcelona and Girona. These areas host established criminal organisations from various parts of the world. Organised crime primarily links to the presence of these weapons. Criminals use them to protect marijuana plantations and for settling scores between mafias. Girona, with its lucrative marijuana trade and proximity to France, has seen a significant increase in organised crime. Groups from Toulouse, Perpignan, and Marseille buy drugs in Girona. They then distribute them across Europe. The proliferation of cannabis farms directly leads to more firearms. Criminals use these to protect against "vuelcos," which are robberies between clans. This in turn increases serious crimes and violent incidents.
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Originally published by El País Barcelona. Read original article.
