Civil Guard agents launched an important operation early this Wednesday in the area of Camp de Tarragona and Barcelona against the cultivation and trafficking of marijuana. According to the meritorious forecasts, today there could be around 15 or 20 detainees of Albanian nationality.
At the moment, the Civil Guard has already made 16 entries in towns such as Cambrils, Mont-roig del Camp, Bisbal del Penedès, Castellvell, Salou, Perafort, Tarragona, Bràfim, Prats del Rei, El Masnou, Sant Pere de Ribes, Palau-solità and Plegamans, Sabadell and Abrera.
The presence of Albanians in crimes related to marijuana has been constantly increasing in Catalonia in recent years. These citizens of Eastern Europe began with the 'boom' to work as laborers in the crops, in undignified conditions, as gardeners, guards and whatever was needed. Over time, some have managed to create and lead their own criminal organizations, and their portion of this desired pie is increasing. These new marijuana bosses employ for hire and treat compatriots like slaves, who in many cases arrive deceived from their country.
Last year in Catalonia, 40% of those arrested for marijuana trafficking were Spanish. The second nationality was Albanian, with 15%, followed by Moroccan with 9%. The latter are basically dedicated to logistics work. The production and trafficking of marijuana is a crime in which several nationalities are usually involved in the same investigation. In a recent one by the Mossos, up to eleven different origins were counted.
