• Seven raids and searches were carried out in the Tarragona towns of Reus, Salou, Montroig del Camp, Alforja, Almoster, Alcover and Riudoms

• 3,860 marijuana plants, three firearms with numerous cartridges and 7,200 euros in cash, among other items, were seized

November 14, 2024.- Officials of the Customs Surveillance Service of the AEAT in Catalonia, have carried out, together with agents of the National Police, a police operation against the cultivation of marijuana in the province of Tarragona.

Investigations began in the middle of last year into a group of individuals based in the province of Tarragona who were allegedly engaged in the cultivation and trafficking of marijuana indoors.

As a result of the police coordination mechanisms, the investigations initiated by the Tarragona Provincial Police Station have crossed paths with the AEAT Customs Surveillance Service, which have led investigators in a first phase to determine the existence of seven addresses that would house important 'indoor' marijuana plantations, which in some cases could conceal significant sums of money from the illicit trafficking of these substances.

Seven raids and searches were carried out in the Tarragona towns of Reus, Salou, Montroig del Camp, Alforja, Almoster, Alcover and Riudoms

related to the crimes of belonging to a criminal organization, cultivation and trafficking of narcotics, electricity fraud and money laundering, leading to the arrest of ten individuals.

During the searches carried out, 3,860 marijuana plants in an advanced state of growth and flowering were seized, as well as three real firearms (two pistols and a .357 magnum revolver), numerous cartridges, 7,200 euros in cash, three cryptocurrency wallets, a van, six computer equipment and six mobile terminals.

Underground planting

In this operation, two innovative methods used by this criminal organisation in indoor plantations were discovered. On the one hand, one of the largest plantations was built underground, five metres deep, in a winery on a farm. In turn, in other plantations, diesel-powered generator sets were used to avoid being detected by inspectors from the electric power companies.

During the months of investigation, it has been determined that this criminal organization is not only engaged in international drug trafficking, but could also be committing an alleged crime of money laundering.

The investigation was carried out by the Customs Surveillance Service of the AEAT in Catalonia, as well as by agents assigned to the UDYCO of the Provincial Brigade of Judicial Police of Tarragona and the Local Brigade of Judicial Police of the Local Police Station of Reus.