The operation was part of a large-scale international investigation against mobile criminal groups operating in Marbella, Barcelona, Ibiza and other tourist centers. A total of 31 people have already been detained in different countries as part of the case, which confirms the transnational nature of the network, Euronews reported.
According to the investigation, it is about Neapolitan criminal groups “paranzas”. They specialized in street attacks on tourists and owners of luxury accessories. Groups of 3-5 people traveled to Spain with forged documents, used rented cars or transport brought from Italy.
They followed a well-established pattern: they tracked down victims in hotels, restaurants, beaches and elite neighborhoods, followed them, and then struck a quick blow by ripping off watches and escaping on motorcycles or scooters.
The investigation notes that the rising value of luxury watches on the global market has made such thefts particularly lucrative and triggered a wave of similar crimes in Europe.
The operation is ongoing.
