Law enforcement agencies have arrested five individuals and are investigating four others, aged between 17 and 67, residing in Barcelona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet. They are accused of seven counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of metal theft, and one count of belonging to a criminal group. The incidents occurred at companies in La Franja de Ponent and the provinces of Tarragona and Barcelona.

The investigation revealed that the individuals gained access to company premises by climbing or forcing locks. Once inside, they pretended to be workers to avoid suspicion, carrying out the robberies during weekdays and daylight hours. In total, the group is estimated to have stolen approximately 12,000 kilograms of metals, primarily copper, brass, and aluminum. The value of the stolen material and the damages caused amount to around 120,000 euros.

The operation began last October when the Guardia Civil of Fraga received reports from two companies in Baix Cinca regarding the theft of copper coils. Officers also detected a similar pattern in a robbery at a company in the province of Tarragona. The inquiries led to the identification of the alleged perpetrators and linked them to other robberies in the province of Barcelona, using the same modus operandi.

The joint operation culminated between the last week of March and the first week of April with the arrests and investigations. Among those involved are seven men, one woman, and a minor. After being brought before the courts in Barcelona and Fraga, and the Barcelona Juvenile Prosecutor's Office, the detainees were released with charges.