The Civil Guard has investigated more than 4,000 crimes against the environment during 2019
In the different actions, 4,234 people have been arrested / investigated and more than 107,000 administrative offenses have been processed.
On Monday, the 1st, the campaign against Forest Fires began, in which the units are reinforced with fire investigation specialists.
The Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) of the Civil Guard arrested and investigated a total of 4,234 people last year for crimes related to the environment. During this period of time, more than 107,000 administrative infractions have been processed. It has also investigated 4,089 crimes against the environment.
Criminal offenses
The crimes that have increased the most are those related to defrauding and distracting water and crimes of animal abuse. Clarification of forest fire crimes is also on the rise.
With regard to the crimes of defrauding water and similar diversions, 1,634 crimes and 845 detainees / investigated. As a result, there are the different interventions that have been carried out during the past year related to the detection of wells and illegal extraction of water from the natural environment, highlighting among them the MIZU operation, carried out between April and September, in which 107 people arrested and investigated for the extraction of water from more than 1,400 illegal wells.
Likewise, in relation to the crimes of forest fires, they have been clarified, of a total of 403 they have clarified twice as many crimes as the previous year.
Administrative offenses
The administrative infractions in the regulations on spills and residues stand out with 20,084 complaints, those related to the regulations on the exercise of fishing, mostly continental with 12,491, the actions related to pets with 10,332, animal health with 9,594 and the actions in the field of water with 5,378 actions.
Also the 5,241 infractions related to the regulations on natural areas, flora and fauna, or the 5,097 on hunting regulations.
Forest fire campaign
Since June 1, the Civil Guard has started the forest fire prevention and investigation campaign, in which different SEPRONA specialists will be deployed in the most relevant fires to address the problem and investigate each fire.
Waste and pollution traffic
Research in waste management and the pollution it can cause are directly linked to the prevention of climate change and its effects. It should be noted that SEPRONA has carried out different operations against the greenhouse effect, climate change and gases that deplete the ozone layer. These include:
- Operation “Malvarma”, where a criminal organization dedicated to the trafficking of waste (fluorinated gases), substances that deplete the ozone layer (R-22), from Spain to Panama, was disbanded. The production and commercialization of this gas is totally prohibited by the European Union, but it is a gas with a high cooling power used in other continents. For this operation, the Civil Guard received an award from the United Nations.
- Operation “Kigali”, where several groups responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases were investigated, as they did not manage the gas stored in the vehicles that arrived at different Authorized Treatment Centers (CAT), at the end of their useful life. The operation took place throughout Spain with a final balance of 38 detainees and investigated.
Animal abuse
Interventions, investigations and operations related to mistreatment and abandonment of domestic animals follow the same trend as in previous years, although crimes have decreased, those arrested and investigated have increased, reaching more than 600 people. The most outstanding operations are:
- “Tanatoc”, where 12 people linked to the death of up to 46 greyhounds at the hands of a veterinarian for 3 years were investigated. The dogs were killed for not meeting their hunting expectations and documents and data were falsified when they euthanized them.
- “Chenilbur”, developed in Malaga, where a person was investigated as the alleged perpetrator of a crime of animal abuse, for failing to provide the necessary care to several dogs on his property.
Protected species
In relation to the CITES agreement on international trade in wild species, more than 1,700 specimens have been recovered throughout the year 2019 among birds, reptiles, mammals or amphibians, as well as 406 pieces of parts or derivatives.
During 2019, numerous operations related to protected species have been carried out, such as:
- Operation “Celacanto”, 203 people were arrested and investigated for illegal trafficking of protected species and for crimes related to non-compliance with the CITES Convention and the regulations on contraband or documentary falsehood. Likewise, 2,296 specimens of 70 protected fauna species were learned. More than 2,000 inspections were carried out in animal sales establishments, wholesalers, private collectors, antique shops, as well as coordinated services in ports and airports.
- Operation "Illuminatis", where an alleged clandestine zoo was unmasked in the Pacense municipality of Villafranca de los Barros, owned by a neighbor of the town. Criminal proceedings were also conducted for seven other Spanish and Portuguese citizens, as alleged perpetrators of a traffic crime. illegal of protected species, after the commission of the crime and commercial relationship with the owner of the zoo. The specimens involved in this illegal trade correspond to the species: African Porcupine, Crowned Crane, Rhea, Eagle Owl, Scarlet Ibis, African Ram Turtle and Turaco Livingston.
The existing problem with elvers trafficking continues, but every year relevant operations are carried out against this illegal trafficking, as is the case of the FAME operation, where 16 people dedicated to the illegal trafficking of European eels were detained / investigated. In addition, 400 kilos of baby eels valued at more than 600,000 euros in the Asian market were intervened.
Agri-food security and public health
Interventions related to this matter have increased compared to the previous year, to a total of 149 crimes detected and 261 arrested and investigated, of which the following operations stand out:
- Monocy. A food poisoning generated in Europe by LISTERIA was clarified. Eight people were arrested and investigated. Up to one hundred and ninety-three (193) people suffered poisonings as a result of ingesting products with the presence of the bacteria, three (3) of them died and three (3) women suffered abortions. Alleged crimes against public health with the result of homicides, injuries to the fetus resulting from abortion, documentary falsification and criminal group among others were accredited.
- Sativus. A clandestine laboratory in Novelda that corrupted saffron was dismantled. A total of 87 kilos of adulterated saffron were intervened, the market value of which ranges from 696,000 to 870,000 euros. Likewise, a clandestine laboratory in Novelda was weeded, which mixed "pure" saffron fibers with other "stamen" fibers, not classified as a food product, so their use and marketing are not allowed. This research is reflected as an example of international cooperation in the 2019 report of the European Food Fraud Network of the European Commission.
International collaboration
The SEPRONA of the Civil Guard has developed different collaborations with international police organizations such as EUROPOL or INTERPOL, for the development of international operations. Likewise, it carries out joint operations with European police such as the Portuguese GNR, French GNF, the Italian Carabinieri Corps and with third countries such as the GRM Morocco, the Colombian National Police, among others.
For more information, you can contact the SEPRONA Press Office of the Civil Guard, telephone 608251069.
