A primary school teacher in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, was arrested on 20 April 2026, for the possession and distribution of child pornography, according to the National Police.
At the time of his arrest, the individual was on sick leave. Police officials detailed that more than 100,000 paedophile files were found in his possession. The investigation began when officers, while monitoring online networks, identified a person sharing pornographic material involving minors via eDonkey (P2P) networks, which also distributed hundreds of files related to child sexual abuse.
The arrested teacher reportedly used one of Spain's most popular online networks, allowing users worldwide to connect, download, and share various file types. Investigators traced his activity, successfully identifying and locating the suspect. A judicial authorisation led to a search of his property and his subsequent arrest. Police seized computer hardware and mass storage devices containing the illegal files, which amounted to over three terabytes of data and more than 100,000 individual files.
Police Action Against Online Exploitation
The National Police emphasised that the corruption of minors is not only a crime but a violation of children's human rights. They highlighted that thousands of minors are exploited annually, with their images distributed online, causing irreparable harm. For this reason, the National Police consistently appeals to parents, educators, and the wider society to report risks and warning signs. They stressed the importance of creating a safe environment for minors to grow and develop without fear of sexual exploitation.
The UDET Group of Barcelona is continuously working on these types of online crimes. With the advent of new technologies and increased computer literacy among the general population, such crimes can sometimes be easily accessed by perpetrators. The police also reminded the public that simply downloading and storing such material constitutes a crime.
Coordinated Police Operation
The operational phase of this police action involved a joint effort. The Central Cybercrime Unit (UCC) of the General Judicial Police Commissariat collaborated with Group 22 of the Provincial Judicial Police Brigade (BPPJ) of Barcelona and the Local Judicial Police Brigade of Sant Adrià.
The National Police continue their efforts to combat online child exploitation, urging public vigilance and cooperation to protect children from these severe offences.
