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Date Published: 06/11/2025

Costa del Sol crime empire takes a major hit in police blitz: 55 arrested, seven gangs dismantled, and weapons seized

Policía Nacional hail a record-breaking month of raids against Malaga’s most dangerous criminal groups

The Policía Nacional in Málaga have delivered what officials are calling the most decisive blow against organised crime in the province in recent times. Over the past month, seven criminal gangs have been broken up, with 55 arrests linked to a wave of serious offences including kidnappings, shootings, and large-scale drug trafficking. Nearly nine tons of hashish and cocaine were confiscated, along with 37 firearms, some of them military-grade, plus €150,000 in cash and 40 vehicles.

The operations, unveiled at a press conference by Deputy Government Delegate Javier Salas and Provincial Chief Commissioner Roberto Rodríguez, are part of the ongoing Costa del Sol Plan, launched just over a year ago. The results have been dramatic, with more than 600 arrests, 70 tons of hashish, 5,200 kilos of cocaine, and 170 weapons seized since the plan began.

Among this month’s major breakthroughs were “Operation Wolverine,” which exposed a violent kidnapping gang operating out of Marbella and led to ten arrests. This investigation opened up further operations, such as “Barbas” and “Bolero,” which cracked an attempted murder in Benalmádena and shootings in Málaga, resulting in a haul of 21 additional weapons. In Estepona, another network targeting rival traffickers was caught, with 2.5 tons of hashish confiscated and nine arrests made.

Officers also seized drugs hidden in textile warehouses destined for export to Europe (“Operation Marisma”), uncovered underground bunkers packed with cocaine in Málaga neighbourhoods (“Operation Tomato”), and broke up French and Eastern European gangs using custom vehicles to smuggle arms (“Operation Kuni”). Spanish officials displayed a veritable arsenal, with Commissioner Rodríguez warning, “We are facing dangerous people. They will be identified and brought before a judge, whatever it takes.”

Despite a clear reduction in violent incidents and significant progress, authorities stressed that “there is still a long way to go” in the fight against organised crime on the Costa del Sol. But as Salas congratulated officers for their “great work,” he was firm that these results show police cooperation is paying off and no one causing harm will be allowed to “get away with it.”

You might also be interested in: Record-breaking drug bust in Cádiz uncovers 20 tons of hashish hidden among peppers

Image: Policía Nacional

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