Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan police, deployed 245 officers in a seven-hour operation on the AP-7 motorway on Friday. They targeted criminal groups responsible for 85% of fast-road crimes in Catalonia. This extensive deployment, part of the fourth ‘Kanpai Pista’ initiative, aimed to saturate the critical 300-kilometre artery and disrupt criminal activity.

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The operation, which ran from 11:00 to 18:00, focused on making the motorway less accessible for criminals. Mossos sources state that since these operations began earlier this year, offences on the AP-7 have decreased by almost 40%. This significant reduction highlights the effectiveness of the sustained police pressure. Additionally, authorities have issued exclusion orders against 28 thieves, prohibiting them from accessing the motorway.

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Targeting Motorway Crime

The AP-7 motorway is a vital transport link with 60 access points. It accounts for 85% of the nearly 4,000 criminal incidents recorded on fast roads in Catalonia in the year 2025. This high concentration of crime makes the AP-7 a particularly challenging environment for police surveillance. The motorway is crucial for both local residents and the millions of tourists who visit Catalonia annually, making its safety a top priority.

The ‘Kanpai Pista’ strategy combines visible controls in service areas with plainclothes patrols. These patrols are supported by police helicopters and drones, providing comprehensive aerial surveillance. This dual approach allows officers to detect criminals actively engaged in illicit activities. The police can also seize rental vehicles used for crimes, leveraging Law 4/2015. Furthermore, the exclusion orders allow Mossos to arrest individuals even before they commit an offence, creating a significant deterrent effect.

Dual Strategy and Deterrence

Criminal groups operating on the AP-7 exhibit two distinct methods. Some specialise in distraction thefts, primarily targeting tourists in rest areas during the day. These groups are often linked to Eastern European networks, exploiting unsuspecting travellers. They typically create a diversion, such as a fake flat tyre, to steal valuables from vehicles.

Other, more violent criminals, known as ‘teloneros’, operate at night, stealing merchandise from parked lorries. These individuals often engage in reckless driving and throw objects, such as stones, fire extinguishers, or stolen cargo, to evade police. Their actions pose significant risks to road safety and other drivers. Mossos admit that eradicating this highly specialised crime is difficult due to its organised nature.

Understanding Criminal Tactics

These groups know the terrain intimately and often benefit from a penal framework that does not always involve pre-trial detention. This situation allows many arrested individuals to accumulate numerous prior offences and quickly return to criminal activity. The lack of immediate incarceration presents a continuous challenge for law enforcement. The ‘Kanpai Pista’ initiative represents a sustained effort to increase pressure and control on the AP-7, aiming to reduce the space available for these criminals.

The operation coincided with the first phase of the Semana Santa, or Easter, exodus, a period of high traffic volume. Many tourists also enter Spain via northern Catalonia during this time, making them potential targets. This timing aimed to maximise the deterrent effect during a vulnerable period for both residents travelling for holidays and international visitors. Ensuring safety on the AP-7 during peak travel times is crucial for Catalonia’s reputation and economy.

Ongoing Police Pressure

During Friday’s seven-hour deployment, officers identified 181 individuals. These individuals collectively had 162 prior offences. Nine of them, identified in Girona, alone accounted for 85 prior offences. Officers also arrested three people, who had a total of 27 prior offences. They identified 151 vehicles, seizing one. Mossos d’Esquadra confirmed that similar operations will continue throughout the coming months to maintain pressure on criminal networks and ensure the safety of this vital motorway.

Originally published by El Caso (El Nacional). Read original article.