Murcia — Spain’s Guardia Civil has dismantled a dangerous three-man gang accused of stealing copper and causing serious environmental damage across the northwest of the region.
The suspects, now under arrest, are believed to be responsible for a string of robberies in Moratalla and Murcia. They face charges including membership in a criminal organization, aggravated burglary, and crimes against the environment.
Investigators say the group targeted electrical transformer stations that supplied power to industrial areas. Their method was highly sophisticated and carefully planned. After selecting a site, they would break into the facilities, disconnect the transformers from the grid, and physically overturn them.
The process allowed them to drain the cooling oil inside—an extremely toxic substance—which they dumped directly onto the ground, causing environmental contamination. Once the transformers were dismantled, the gang extracted the valuable copper coils and sold them on the black market.
Authorities estimate the damage caused by the group exceeds €250,000, with around 4,000 litres of hazardous industrial oil spilled during their operations.
Police describe the gang as structured and hierarchical. The alleged ringleader, who was already subject to a court order for imprisonment, managed transport, surveillance, and storage of the stolen material. Another member, a technical specialist, is said to have carried out the complex dismantling work, even using temporary prison leave to commit the crimes.
The third suspect allegedly acted as an intermediary, selling the stolen copper using his clean identity to avoid detection.
The investigation eventually led officers to Sangonera la Verde, where the suspects were based. The operation culminated in their arrest while they were attempting to sell copper linked to a major theft from an industrial warehouse in El Palmar, Murcia. During the intervention, the alleged leader tried to escape at high speed but was quickly intercepted and detained.
The case was solved with the support of local police forces in Moratalla and Murcia.
What initially appeared to be routine metal theft has been exposed as a well-organized criminal operation combining technical expertise with blatant environmental disregard—now brought to an end by law enforcement.
