In Pla d'Urgell, Mossos d'Esquadra say they uncovered illegal electricity connections in 10 businesses and five homes after a probe that began in Mollerussa. The operation, which started on 29 April, included 24 inspections and led to the arrest of two business owners and an electrician.
The case began after a citizen alerted police to a business in Mollerussa that may have been using fraudulent electricity and employing an undocumented worker. Officers confirmed those suspicions at the first site, where they also found a person working without a permit or contract.
Police then widened the checks across the comarca. Mossos d'Esquadra, with Endesa technicians, local police and municipal technicians, inspected three more businesses and one home in Mollerussa. Those visits found more fraudulent connections, and one of the businesses also had a second person working irregularly.
On 1 May, officers say they caught several people manipulating an electrical panel to reconnect one of the premises illegally. The person responsible was arrested on suspicion of four counts of electricity fraud, two offences against workers' rights and one count of disobeying authority.
The investigation continued on 28 May with 13 inspections of businesses and five inspections of homes in Mollerussa, Barbens, Ivars d'Urgell, Sidamon, el Palau d'Anglesola, Bellvís and Torregrossa. Police say they found three more businesses and four homes with illegal electricity connections, leading to charges for electricity fraud.
Two days later, on 30 May, officers found that a previously inspected business in Barbens had reconnected its illegal supply. Its owner was arrested for disobeying authority and a new electricity fraud charge. Police also identified an electrician they say was involved in the fraudulent installations, and found an illegal connection at his home as well. The operation is now closed, although police say further arrests are still possible if new information comes in. More Catalonia news
