Blocus arrest tally rises to 18 across Spain

Three more people have been detained in Valencia in the Blocus inquiry, taking the nationwide total to 18 arrests, according to police figures released this week.

The latest figure marks another step in the wider operation over alleged online calls for looting and disorder. CNS reported the earlier wave of detentions in our previous report, when officers said ten young people had already been held across Spain.

Police said the three Valencia arrests form part of the wider national tally and come after a series of detentions linked to messaging channels allegedly used to spread calls for unrest ahead of Halloween. The current balance includes 13 minors among those arrested.

According to the information released so far, the arrests have been made in several cities, with Valencia accounting for three of them. Other detentions have been reported in Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Barcelona, Lleida, Bilbao and Seville.

The inquiry was triggered after disturbances in Barcelona on 24 October, with investigators then tracing online channels they say were used to coordinate further disorder and target shops in other areas.

Police have said the suspects are being investigated for alleged conspiracy to commit public disorder, conspiracy to commit offences against property and membership of an organised group. The operation remains open and further arrests have not been ruled out.

Among the earlier Valencia detentions were a 17-year-old, an 18-year-old and a 16-year-old, while the alleged founder of the network was also arrested separately in Picanya by the Guardia Civil. The latest update does not change the nature of the case, but it confirms that the operation is still expanding.