Barcelona police arrested 13 people and fined 15 others during a major operation against firearms and other offences in the city on Friday, 12 June, between 2pm and 10pm.
The Mossos d'Esquadra worked with Barcelona's Guàrdia Urbana, the Policía Nacional and private security. The operation focused on Sants, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu and Sant Martí, as well as the area near Balmes Street, where a recent firearms incident occurred, officials said.
Those arrested had a combined 93 prior offences. Five arrests were made under immigration law, three for theft, two for theft and fraud, two for outstanding warrants, and one for vehicle break-in, according to Mossos sources. The 15 people fined were found with drugs and bladed weapons.
More than 100 Mossos officers, around 40 Guàrdia Urbana agents and 10 Policía Nacional officers took part. In total, 254 people were identified, with 732 prior offences between them. Police also seized three electric scooters and carried out an administrative inspection at a business of interest.
Police said recent firearms incidents in Barcelona require a strong response with visible patrols and saturation of key areas. They added that, although overall crime has fallen, they are focusing on specific places where firearms incidents have increased.
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