Lorraine Williamson
More than 10,000 litres of petrol, stored in over 400 fuel containers, have been seized by the Guardia Civil during a major operation targeting criminal logistics networks along the Almería coastline.
The operation, codenamed ALINDA
High-risk fuel operations uncovered
Investigators focused on the hidden logistics behind high-speed boats used by criminal groups, particularly the illegal transport and storage of fuel — a practice known as petaqueo. The operation uncovered fuel being moved and stored in unsafe conditions, posing a serious risk to life, health and property.
Alongside the fuel, officers seized four vehicles and five boats, some of which were being used to refuel vessels operating continuously in Spanish territorial waters.
A €300 million fuel fraud uncovered
Widespread checks along the coast
The scale of the operation extended well beyond arrests. During coordinated checks in marinas and coastal areas, officers:
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Identified more than 400 people
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Inspected around 200 vehicles
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Carried out checks on a large number of vessels
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Recovered one stolen boat
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Issued 70 administrative sanctions, including offences linked to the transport of dangerous goods such as fuel
Authorities also confirmed that 147 migrants were rescued during the operation.
Targeting the backbone of organised crime
Rather than focusing solely on boat crews, Operation ALINDA aimed to dismantle the essential support networks that keep criminal operations running. This included surveillance of crew changes, supply drops of food and materials, and refuelling operations carried out offshore.
According to the Guardia Civil, cutting these logistical lifelines is key to weakening criminal groups involved in both people smuggling and drug trafficking.
Multi-unit deployment across land, sea and air
The operation brought together a wide range of specialist units, including the Guardia Civil’s Air Service, Provincial Maritime Service of Almería, Strait Maritime Group, Rapid Action Group, Reserve and Security Group, local Almería units, and the Regional Centre for Analysis and Intelligence against Drug Trafficking, based in Seville.
The Guardia Civil says operations of this kind will continue as part of its broader strategy to combat organised crime operating along Spain’s southern coast.