The officers detected four large vans that were allegedly being used for the illegal transport and supply of fuel to a vessel.
Nine people were arrested for their alleged involvement in crimes related to the possession, transport or illicit supply of fuels and membership in a criminal group
Three of those arrested were also investigated for serious disobedience and road safety offenses after fleeing from one of the vans.
The Civil Guard, as part of the crime prevention actions carried out by the Las Palmas Command, has arrested nine people and seized four large capacity vans allegedly linked to an operation of transport and illicit supply of fuel, known to the police as 'petaqueo', on the island of Gran Canaria.
The operation began when officers detected two large rental vans whose characteristics and circumstances of use led them to suspect that they might be used to transport a significant amount of fuel.
The investigations carried out made it possible to determine that the people linked to the use of both vehicles could be related to an operation of possession and supply of fuel allegedly intended for boats.
Following this information, the Civil Guard established a surveillance operation in the Pozo Izquierdo area, where the two vans under investigation were located along with two other vehicles of similar characteristics that could be intended for the same activity.
At the same time, the agents became aware of the navigation of a large semi-rigid vessel that was moving at high speed and without visible identification along the coast, in a northerly direction, until reaching the Salinas de Matorral area.
During the operation, it was observed how the four vans began to travel in convoy along dirt tracks towards the coast, accessing the Salinas de Matorral area through the Tirajana ravine.
The agents detected evidence consistent with a possible supply of fuel from the vehicles to the vessel, so an interception operation was set up upon its return, in which members of the Civil Guard and the Local Police of Santa Lucía de Tirajana participated.
One of the vans fled in the opposite direction, heading through the Tirajana ravine towards El Doctoral and Vecindario. During the pursuit, its occupants ignored the officers' flashing lights and sirens and performed maneuvers contrary to traffic regulations, creating a dangerous situation for pedestrians and other road users.
After several minutes of pursuit, the officers managed to intercept the vehicle and arrest its three occupants.
As a result of the operation, the Civil Guard intercepted four large vans and arrested nine people for their alleged involvement in crimes related to the possession, transport or illicit supply of liquid fuels and membership in a criminal group.
During the operation, various documents were seized, numerous fuel canisters, both empty and partially full, and two tanks with a capacity of 1.000 liters each containing traces of fuel.
In addition, three of the detainees are also accused of alleged crimes of serious disobedience and against road safety.
The operation involved prominent participation from officers of the Civil Guard from Vecindario and Agüimes, as well as agents from the Local Police of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, who deployed a significant number of personnel and resources in support of the actions led by the Civil Guard.
The proceedings will be sent to the competent judicial authority, and the actions will continue for the complete clarification of the facts.
