Ciutat Vella drug flats have been systematically dismantled through a major police operation targeting narcotics distribution in Barcelona’s historic centre.
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According to recent security data, authorities have cleared 51 drug flats and made 72 arrests since January, representing a significant blow to organised drug networks operating in the district.
Police Pressure Yields Dramatic Results
Furthermore, the intensified police presence has contributed to a 13.3% reduction in overall crime between October 2024 and September 2025.
The coordinated efforts between Mossos d’Esquadra and Guardia Urbana have specifically targeted the Ciutat Vella drug flats that residents identified as sources of neighbourhood disturbance and associated criminal activity.
Additionally, officers have dismantled seven cannabis associations operating as disguised drug points while making eleven related arrests. The operation forms part of a broader strategy to address both actual crime rates and public perception of safety in the district.
Albert Batlle, Deputy Mayor for Security, Prevention and Coexistence, presided over the Local Security Board meeting where these results were presented. He emphasised that “drug flats generate significant concern among citizens as they’re accompanied by thefts and robberies alongside neighbourhood disturbances.”
Crime Statistics Show Significant Improvement
Consequently, reported crimes in Ciutat Vella have dropped from 44,430 to 38,513 incidents. Meanwhile, the case resolution rate has improved to 46.7%, representing a 4.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Police forces have conducted 10,393 detentions throughout the district.
Regarding crime typology, 88% involve offences against property, which have decreased by 14.9% compared to the previous year. The statistics show 68.6% of these crimes are thefts, followed by 10.2% involving robberies with violence and/or intimidation in public spaces.
The security intensification plan deployed since June has established additional uniformed and plain-clothes patrols across 38 daytime locations and 24 nighttime spots throughout Ciutat Vella’s four neighbourhoods. These measures have specifically targeted drug trafficking, fights, white weapon possession, and noise disturbances.
Moreover, Mossos d’Esquadra’s ‘Confidence Plan’ implemented since February has doubled foot patrol hours and increased visibility of marked police vehicles. The strategy addresses the discrepancy between falling crime rates and public perception of safety through community engagement.
Community Collaboration Proves Crucial
Therefore, police representatives have maintained regular sessions with Ciutat Vella residents, including minors, young people, elderly residents, shopkeepers and teachers. These meetings aim to improve information about police operations while listening to community concerns and complaints.
The district has simultaneously piloted an anti-incivility campaign targeting improper waste disposal in the Gothic Quarter, Raval, Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera, and Barceloneta. Consequently, uncivil acts related to street cleaning and waste collection have decreased by 56% over the past eight months.
Complaints regarding cleaning services have dropped between 8% and 53% during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Specifically, organic collection complaints have reduced by more than half, while reports about graffiti, posters, and banners in public spaces have decreased by 16%.
The successful campaign against Ciutat Vella drug flats demonstrates how coordinated police pressure, judicial action against repeat offenders, and community collaboration can effectively address complex urban security challenges while improving residents’ quality of life.
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