Nine people arrested in relation to weapons trafficking network operating from prison

Catalonia's Mossos d'Esquadra and Spain's National Police have arrested nine people in a joint operation aimed at dismantling a criminal organization that purchased and distributed firearms. 

The group provided weapons to other criminal networks. 

The leader of the network directed operations from inside a prison cell, having already been arrested and sent to Quatre Camins prison. 

According to police, the man coordinated the purchase and sale of weapons from prison using family members to carry out the operations. 

The organization had a network of intermediaries, suppliers, buyers, and people who provided space to hide and store weapons. 

The investigation into the weapon distribution network began in January 2026, based on information obtained through another case against a criminal organization. 

On July 7, the raid of the network was carried out, which included 10 different searches around Catalonia. 

Nine were carried out in homes around Catalonia, and one took place in the cell where the main leader was imprisoned. 

The raid resulted in five men and four women arrested. Six of those nine people were charged on July 9 with alleged crimes of membership in a criminal organization and possession, storage and trafficking of firearms.

The searches carried out located two arsenals and seized 38 imitation glock semi-automatic pistols, two revolvers, four shotguns tow bullet proof vests, a ballistic shield, detonator weapons, a Taser device, an inert hand grenade and a rocket launcher. 

The operation of the two police forces mobilized roughly 130 officers across Catalonia. The investigation into the network remains open, and new arrests are not ruled out.