Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's regional police, found 15 fraudulent connections to the electricity network during inspections of 20 homes in the Polvorí neighbourhood of Girona on Thursday, 13 August. Endesa technicians disconnected the irregular connections, and police opened criminal proceedings against those responsible for the suspected electricity fraud.

The operation followed repeated complaints from local residents. Polvorí, also known as Font de la Pólvora, is an eastern Girona neighbourhood where electricity supply problems and illegal connections have previously prompted inspections.

Police said the operation was intended to disconnect the fraudulent points from the general electricity network following residents' repeated complaints.

Marijuana plants and animals found during inspections

Officers also found about 20 marijuana plants inside one of the homes, visible to people in the street. Mossos issued an administrative report over the cultivation.

During the same operation, officers seized animals which police said were linked to suspected breaches of animal welfare rules:

  • Three adult cockerels which had allegedly been mutilated for use in cockfighting.
  • Two hens.
  • Nine chicks intended for breeding.

The Regional Environment Unit of the Girona police region opened administrative proceedings over the alleged mutilations and a lack of required authorisations. The files will be sent to the Generalitat's Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and Girona City Council, which can assess the alleged breaches under Catalonia's animal welfare rules.

For Girona residents, the immediate result is that the 15 identified illegal electricity connections have been cut off, while the suspected fraud and the animal welfare procedures are being handled by the relevant authorities.

Primary sources: govern.cat, agricultura.gencat.cat. Reported by diaridegirona.cat, europapress.es, ACN | Girona, Matías Crowder, Eva Batlle, Marc Estarriola, Orsolya Gazdagi, ACN, Guillem RS, Cesc Maideu, Susanna Riva, Diari de Girona.