Else Beekman
In a large-scale operation in the Tres Mil Viviendas neighbourhood of Seville, Spanish police discovered 1,200 cannabis plants and military-grade weapons, including a Kalashnikov AK-47, a pistol with ammunition and spare magazine, bulletproof vests and tactical gear.
The operation targeted a criminal family clan and is part of a broader strategy against organised crime in this notorious area. It appears the police are stepping up their efforts in the neighbourhood.
Cannabis labs and heavy weaponry in a single building
The operation took place in Polígono Sur, Spain’s poorest neighbourhood. Six apartments within a single housing block were searched, all of which were being used by the same family engaged in drug trafficking. All items were found in one of the flats which, according to the Policía Nacional, had been set up as “a real bunker”. A total of five fully equipped cannabis grow labs were dismantled. The plants were in various stages of growth and had a combined weight of nearly 70 kilograms.
Gang armed with military arsenal
In addition to the drugs, officers found an impressive cache of weapons, including a loaded Kalashnikov AK-47, a loaded pistol with a spare magazine, nearly 80 rounds of ammunition, two bulletproof vests and cut-resistant gloves. One of the homes was, according to the police, fitted out as a “real bunker”, used for storing weapons and protective equipment. The discovery underscores the professional nature of the criminal operation.
Operation follows series of shootings in the area
The raid is the result of months of investigation under the ‘Trazadoras-Sexto’ operation. The action was fast-tracked following a series of recent shootings in the area. Authorities believe these to be shows of force by so-called ‘Cannabis Clans’. Police confirm that all searched properties yielded positive results, reinforcing suspicions of a deeply rooted, family-based criminal network in the district.
A troubled neighbourhood
Tres Mil Viviendas has long been notorious for crime and drug trafficking. The area suffers from an unemployment rate that, according to Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), can reach up to 35%. Many residents live below the poverty line, facing social exclusion through limited access to education and healthcare. Furthermore, they face a lack of basic infrastructure such as regular waste collection, street lighting and adequate housing.
Residents are frequently confronted with shootings, threats and clashes with police. The strong influence of criminal clans complicates law enforcement, and trust between locals and authorities is often fragile.
Several police operations have already taken place in the area this year. Both the city council and the Junta de Andalucía are now considering the demolition of four vacant apartment blocks in the neighbourhood. These buildings, owned by the regional government, have reportedly been repeatedly used for large-scale cannabis cultivation. Whether such measures will be enough to address the deep-rooted issues of the area remains to be seen.
Further arrests expected
So far, four arrests have been made, but police do not rule out further detentions. The case remains under investigation, especially since all properties involved show clear signs of organised criminal activity.
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