National Police officers, in co-operation with Colombian officials, have detained seven people in connection with robberies being carried out throughout the country, the gang posing as police officers to gain entry into properties.
The arrests were carried out in Madrid, Getafe, Pozuelo de Alarcón and Marbella and followed a three investigation by the police.
The gang were highly organised, with separate units covering security and the laundering of proceeds from the robberies. The security company would provide fraudulent ID cards and licenses relating to private investigators and register vehicles to give them a pseudo-official appearance.
Targets of the gang were generally people involved, in some way or other, in the narcotics trade.
During a raid on a house in Madrid which belonged to the alleged leader of the gang, the police discovered a cocaine laboratory and seized 1 kilo of cocaine, eight guns of different makes, large amounts of ammunition, bullet-proof vests marked ‘Policia’, various false police badges and €180,000 in cash.
In recent months, the gang had carried out robberies in places as far apart as Málaga and Bilbao.