The investigation began after the Civil Guard detected a significant increase in burglaries in second homes, agricultural exploitations, and businesses across several towns, including Sanlúcar La Mayor, Espartinas, Olivares, Villanueva del Ariscal, and Pilas. Concurrently, a hierarchical network distributing low-cost heroin was uncovered, aiming to attract a large number of users.
Surveillance operations established by the Civil Guard linked the sale and distribution of narcotics with the rise in robberies, allegedly committed by consumers to fund their addiction. It is suspected that stolen items, including jewelry and gold pieces, were handed over as partial payment for daily doses, and the organization then sold these items, generating a dual income stream.
After gathering evidence and clues, the operation, named 'Ángelus-Silvestre', was executed with searches of properties in Espartinas, Pilas, Sanlúcar la Mayor, and San Juan de Aznalfarache, where the two main leaders of the organization resided. As a result, twelve individuals were arrested and brought before judicial authorities.
Eight of those arrested have been immediately imprisoned, accused of crimes against public health for drug trafficking, property crimes, and belonging to a criminal organization.
The Civil Guard continues to pursue several lines of investigation related to this organization, and further police actions are not ruled out.
