Barcelona police have stepped up checks across the city after two killings in 72 hours that investigators link to drug trafficking, with the operation centred on Barcelona and nearby streets in the south and north of the city.
Residents and businesses in Sants-Montjuïc, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu, Sant Martí and parts of Sarrià may notice more patrols, stop checks and searches. The operation involves the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Guardia Urbana de Barcelona and Policía Nacional, according to the police accounts reported by El Periódico.
Where the checks are taking place
The reported focus includes Zona Franca, La Marina, streets near Sants and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, and some activity in Sarrià. The two recent murders took place on Carrer Mineria last Sunday and on Carrer Balmes on Wednesday, close to a police station, according to the same report.
What police say is behind the operation
Intendent Rafael Tello, head of the Citizen Security and Proximity Division for the Mossos in Barcelona, said the rise in firearms incidents is a concern. He said: “These are criminals who use violence among themselves, such as a settling of scores, and it is associated with drug trafficking.” He added that while overall crime in Barcelona has fallen, recent shootings and three murders in the last month have increased public concern.
What this means for readers
The operation includes preventive checks and searches of people suspected of carrying firearms, plus inspections of premises believed to hide pistols and shotguns. If you live, work or travel through the affected districts, expect a heavier police presence and possible delays around street checks, but no route changes have been announced.
The Mossos say the wider aim is to disrupt supply chains and reduce the number of weapons on Barcelona’s streets. Tello also said most crimes in the city are not violent, but repeat offenders remain a problem, which the Mossos address through their Kanpai plan. For ongoing local coverage, see our community and sport pages.
Police say Barcelona has recorded a dozen shootings this year, with four deaths and several injuries. The force says the next step is to keep pressure on gun supply routes and street-level carrying, while residents should follow any instructions from officers and check official updates from the Mossos and Guardia Urbana if they are in the affected areas.
Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
