Officers from the Tax Agency’s Customs Surveillance service, the Mossos d’Esquadra’s Dique unit and the Figueres Investigation Unit have arrested fourteen people, nine men and five women aged 23 to 74, who formed a criminal organisation growing and trafficking cannabis from the Alt Empordà region for export to Europe.[1]

On 9 November, fifteen raids and searches in Figueres, Sant Pere Pescador, Vilacolum, Vilamacolum, l’Escala, Castelló d’Empúries and Girona dismantled five indoor plantations holding 5,000 plants, along with 14 kilograms of dried buds ready for sale, two firearms with ammunition, an air rifle, five vehicles and 57,000 euros in cash.[1] Investigators estimate the organisation stood to make 1.1 million euros on the Catalan illicit market from the seized buds and plants.[1]

The case began with a November 2022 burglary at two industrial units in Vilamalla hiding two highly equipped indoor farms; one warehouse alone held 3,500 plants.[1] Investigators say the network forged documents to lease its grow sites anonymously and laundered profits through an accountancy firm, property purchases, front businesses and false invoicing.[1]