A major police operation in Barcelona has resulted in the arrest of 13 people and the identification of 254 individuals, in an effort to combat arms trafficking and related crimes. The operation, carried out by the Mossos d’Esquadra alongside the Guardia Urbana and the National Police, took place in several districts of the city, including Sants-Montjuïc and Nou Barris, following a concerning increase in violent incidents related to firearms.
Massive police operation
More than 150 agents participated in this coordinated action aimed at dismantling networks dedicated to illegal arms trafficking. During the operation, suspicious premises were searched and preventive checks were conducted. The detainees have significant criminal records, totaling 93 prior arrests. Among them, one was caught in the act while stealing a vehicle.
The police intervention came after two murders occurred within less than a week, both linked to drug trafficking. The victims were Serbian citizens, and the crimes have heightened the perception of insecurity among residents. Superintendent Rafael Tello highlighted that although overall crime figures have decreased, recent shootings have generated social alarm.
According to data provided by the Mossos d’Esquadra, there has been a notable increase in the use of handguns compared to previous years. In 2026, 70% of the seized weapons are handguns. This change reflects a worrying trend among criminals seeking to better conceal their firearms. Tello emphasized that many shootings are related to settling scores within European organized crime.
Tello stated: “Crime has decreased, but isolated incidents involving firearms have increased the feeling of insecurity.”
Apart from the visible police presence on the streets and public transport, authorities are considering tightening penalties for illegal possession of firearms and drug trafficking. Mayor Jaume Collboni supported this measure as an integral part of curbing the rise in violent crime in Barcelona.
Despite the overall decline in certain types of crime such as theft or fraud —with a reduction of 20%— authorities acknowledge that it is necessary to adopt stricter approaches to more serious situations such as drug-related homicides.
As Barcelona faces this growing challenge related to illegal arms trafficking and violence associated with drug trafficking, both the police and local authorities are committed to implementing effective measures to restore public safety. With a strategy focused not only on reactive interventions but also on preventive ones, they hope to reduce both the number and severity of these violent incidents.
In the long term, these actions are expected to significantly improve citizens' perception of safety and trust in law enforcement.
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