The police action took place during the night of March 23 and early morning of March 24, when the operational group of the Customs Surveillance Service detected suspicious activity involving the provisioning of fuel for high-speed vessels. Agents discovered two inflatable boats and two vehicles belonging to a criminal organization near the riverbank.
As law enforcement approached, the alleged individuals responsible for the vehicles fled in one of the boats, taking advantage of the darkness. They abandoned the vehicles, which were obstructing the path, and a van loaded with gasoline canisters caught fire, becoming completely incinerated.
“"Investigations are ongoing, and further arrests are not ruled out. They have also indicated that the operation is the result of close collaboration between the Tax Agency, National Police, and Civil Guard to dismantle smuggling networks operating in the region, involving the seizure of large quantities of fuel, boats, and vehicles used by criminal organizations."
This incident highlights the danger of illicit fuel trafficking, known as 'petaqueo', which involves the uncontrolled and unsafe transport and storage of highly flammable materials. Authorities have emphasized the risk these practices pose to citizens, especially when fuel is stored in residential areas.
It is not the first time that vehicles and boats have caught fire during these supply operations or police interventions, underscoring the volatile and dangerous nature of this criminal activity.
