The youth gang, known as 'Los 300', has been dismantled by the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Guardia Urbana of Barcelona. The group, composed of males aged 15 to 29, including minors, was hierarchically organized and used violence as a "control tool" to dominate territory and commit robberies. According to police sources, they are attributed up to four attempted homicides with bladed weapons and acted with "extreme violence" against rival clans or randomly.
The investigation, which culminated in the arrest of 18 individuals last May (six minors), reveals that the group financed itself primarily through the trafficking of marijuana and 'tusi' (pink cocaine), even cooking the drugs in makeshift laboratories. Minors were used as an "executive arm" and for drug distribution, benefiting from lesser criminal consequences. A firearm was detected during the raids, although it was reportedly not used in confrontations.
Inspector José Ángel Merino of the Mossos highlighted that 'Los 300' are a "multicultural" and "heterogeneous" group, distinct from traditional Latin gangs, and had no international contacts. Although they frequented the Parc de la Pegaso area, their main operational center was located in the Sant Martí district. Police have celebrated the complete dismantling of the group, although other recent violent incidents in the city, such as the murder of a 15-year-old in Parc de la Pegaso, are being investigated and could be linked to these youth gangs.
Police sources have announced they will act with "total firmness" against these gangs, acknowledging that it is a "multicausal" conflict requiring a multi-faceted approach. The joint investigation between Mossos and Guardia Urbana has provided further information to improve the understanding and management of these youth groups.
