Crackdown on Agricultural Thefts in Vega Baja

During Operation «Entrada25», the Alicante Civil Guard dismantled a criminal group based in the Vega Baja del Segura region, dedicated to committing forceful thefts in agricultural facilities. The estimated value of the stolen goods exceeds 40,000 euros, part of which has been recovered and returned to its rightful owners. As a result of the investigation, one man has been arrested and two others are under investigation.

The investigation began in late 2024 by the Torrevieja Field Robbery Team (ROCA) following several reports of forceful thefts in agricultural facilities in Vega Baja. Investigators observed that the perpetrators entered the premises by forcing locks or doors, taking advantage of times when no staff were present, and stole high-value items such as fertilizers, compost, and phytosanitary products.

During the investigation, the Torrevieja ROCA Team was supported by the Seprona of Guardamar del Segura, the Civil Guard posts of Guardamar and Callosa de Segura, as well as the Local Police of Catral, Almoradí, Rafal, Cox-Granja de Rocamora, Algorfa, Benijófar, Formentera del Segura, Rojales, Benejúzar, Los Montesinos, and San Miguel de Salinas. Their coordinated efforts, along with the investigation and analysis of evidence by all units, were crucial to the operation's success, leading to the identification and location of the perpetrators, as well as the recovery of part of the stolen goods.

During the operation, numerous inspections were also carried out on agricultural facilities, warehouses, and suspicious vehicles, which were essential in clarifying the events.

In late March, as part of the established operations, one of the suspects, a 35-year-old man, was arrested. Subsequently, two other men aged 39 and 48 were located and investigated. All three are charged with five counts of forceful theft and one count of belonging to a criminal group.

The arrested individual was brought before the Orihuela Duty Court, which ordered his release with the imposition of precautionary measures.