Catalonia’s Mossos d’Esquadra deployed 260 officers across various motorways and fast lanes on Friday. This coincided with the start of the Easter holiday exodus. The special operation, named ‘Kanpai Pista’, aimed to prevent and detect thefts by repeat offenders. These criminals target motorists at service areas, petrol stations, and hard shoulders.
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The extensive deployment resulted in the arrest of three individuals with a combined 27 previous convictions. Police also identified 181 people, who collectively had 162 prior convictions. Additionally, officers identified 151 vehicles and seized one.
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Intendent Miquel Hueso, Deputy Head of the Territorial Superior Commissariat, stated, “The objective is to create a security space on high-occupancy roads, especially on the AP-7.” He explained that the operation combines uniformed patrols with plainclothes officers, supported by Barcelona’s ‘Fura’ unit, known for their expertise in studying these criminals.
The ‘Kanpai Pista’ initiative stems from the original ‘Kanpai’ plan, launched almost a year ago to tackle repeat offending. In 2025, Catalan police recorded 4,000 crimes on the region’s main high-occupancy roads, with 85% occurring on the AP-7 motorway. This is a critical artery for residents and tourists travelling across Catalonia.
This specific Friday operation, coordinated from the Complex Egara in Sabadell, was the fourth such deployment since 1 January. It ran from 11:00 to 18:00, a period identified for increased criminal activity. The operation involved units including the Citizen Security Unit, Traffic Area, Regional Operational Resources Area (Arro), Mobile Brigade (Brimo), Criminal Investigation, and the Hèlix unit.
Targeted Operations Yield Results
One significant arrest occurred overnight at the Montseny Service Area. Police apprehended a man for a ‘curtain-sider’ robbery. He had stolen the cargo from a lorry. Officers recovered 299 boxes of shoes, valued at €15,000, along with a van and two high-end vehicles.
Europa Press observed police monitoring the C-32 in Garraf, south of Barcelona. Officers established a control point at a service station heading towards Tarragona. Inspector Toni Santerbas, Head of the Garraf Basic Police Area, explained the choice of location. He told media, “If we put too much pressure on one crime-stressed area, we can intercept some, but others flee elsewhere because it is their way of life.” This approach aims for a “general vision” covering entry and exit routes.
Sub-inspector Richard Adesanya, Head of the Garraf Citizen Security Unit, confirmed “integral coverage” on the C-32. He noted that despite lower theft incidence there, similar, though less intense, operations have been in place since January.
Understanding Criminal Modus Operandi
Sergeant Raül Oliva, Head of the Operational Mobility Unit, detailed two primary crime methods targeted by police. The first involves ‘distraction thefts’, where groups of two or three criminals operate. They often use rental vehicles. They seek out “perfect victims,” typically foreign tourists driving high-end cars.
Once a victim is identified, one group member alerts the others, who then follow the target. They signal the victim to stop, often by simulating a flat tyre. As the victim exits their vehicle to check, one criminal steals bags and valuables, particularly jewellery and money. They usually avoid traceable items like mobile phones. These groups also operate in service areas and petrol stations. Police have identified 35 individuals known to use this method, primarily on the AP-7, AP-2, and C-32 in Girona and northern Barcelona.
The second method, known as ‘curtain-sider’ robberies, occurs at night and targets lorry drivers. These groups are larger, typically five or six people. They use stolen, high-end vehicles capable of fast motorway escapes. A third vehicle, usually a van, accompanies them to store stolen cargo after they cut the lorry’s tarpaulin.
Police have identified approximately 40 such offenders across Catalonia. They have a strong presence on the AP-7 and in areas with numerous rest stops and parallel escape routes, particularly in the Girona region. Unlike distraction thieves, these criminals do not hesitate to confront, intimidate, or threaten lorry drivers or witnesses. They also frequently drive recklessly during their escape.
Long-Term Strategy and Future Outlook
Since the specific device began on 1 January, police have observed a 37% reduction in crimes on Catalonia’s main roads. Incidents fell from 622 to 394. Arrests have increased by 64%, from 24 to 41. Authorities attribute these improvements to a 117% increase in police coverage in these areas.
Police have also intervened 29 vehicles and recovered 11. They prioritise the removal of criminal vehicles from these roads. Intendent Txema Montero, Head of the Traffic Division, confirmed that officials schedule bi-weekly meetings to assess crime data. While large-scale operations like Friday’s are not daily, police maintain a continuous presence for prevention.
The strategy aims to integrate police efforts across Catalonia’s regional boundaries. Criminals move quickly across the territory, necessitating a continuous flow and exchange of information and resources. Sergeant Oliva emphasised the Mossos’ commitment to combating these repeat offenders. He noted that while many offences are minor thefts, police seek to add charges like reckless driving or criminal group membership to ensure more severe sentences.
Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.
