Mossos Investigate €1 Million Illegal Campsite Operation in Mataró that allegedly generated over one million euros through unauthorised construction on agricultural land.
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The Catalan police have launched a major investigation into two local men accused of creating an extensive illegal campsite spanning 15 hectares of farmland.
Mossos Investigate €1 Million Illegal Campsite Operation Details
According to La Vanguardia reports, the suspects face multiple charges including urban planning violations, environmental crimes, electricity fraud and money laundering. The investigation began after Mataró City Council reported the illegal development to the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office in June 2024.
The campsite operation allegedly started in September 2021 when the two men rented agricultural land from a property company. Their contract explicitly prohibited any construction due to the land’s classification and lack of approved urban planning. Nevertheless, they proceeded to create permanent structures, prefabricated modules, metal containers converted into housing, caravans and sheds across the protected area.
Environmental authorities have expressed serious concerns about the operation’s impact. The illegal settlement posed significant fire risks in the forested area, particularly dangerous given the suspects’ awareness of these hazards. Furthermore, investigators found evidence of forest clearing, earth movements and unauthorised connections to electrical and water networks.
Expanding Criminal Enterprise
The operation grew substantially over four years, with the campsite housing 145 residents by August 2025. Additionally, more people were reportedly waiting to move into the illegal settlement. The suspects charged tenants approximately €300 monthly for plots, with additional income generated from renting spaces for private parties and events.
Economic crime specialists from the Mossos’ Central Economic Crimes Area are investigating the financial aspects of the operation. Initial estimates suggest the suspects earned over one million euros from their illicit rental business. They allegedly reinvested profits into expanding the operation by purchasing more prefabricated modules and constructing additional buildings.
Meanwhile, recent property tax developments in nearby Gavà highlight the ongoing challenges municipalities face in regulating land use. The contrast between proper urban planning and this illegal operation underscores the importance of development controls.
Police Operation and Ongoing Investigation
On October 13th, Mataró’s Court Number 2 authorised a police operation to dismantle the settlement and conduct searches. Officers seized money, documentation and implemented preventive confiscations of assets linked to the main suspects. The evidence gathered has helped identify additional collaborators who now also face police investigation.
The case represents one of the largest illegal campsite operations uncovered in recent years. It highlights the complex challenges facing authorities in combating urban planning violations and environmental crimes. The investigation continues as police work to fully dismantle the criminal network and recover illicit profits.
The Mossos investigate €1 million illegal campsite operation as part of broader efforts to address unauthorised developments across Catalonia. This case demonstrates the sophisticated nature of such criminal enterprises and the determination of authorities to pursue both the perpetrators and their financial gains.
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