Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The Policia Nacional of MALAGA has revealed the results of a series investigations that have been conducted on the Costa del Sol in the last 18 months.
Officers of the Drug and Organised Crime Unit, (Udyco), have detailed the successful investigations they conducted into the current wave of shootings and kidnappings in the area.
Between 2024 and 25 the 13 separate operations led to approximately 40 arrests. An unknown amount of drugs was confiscated, and deadly weapons of military grade were seized.
Operation Hawthorn – Marbella
Three British citizens with criminal records from Spain and UK were arrested. They were charged with kidnapping as well for belonging to an illegal organization and illegal possession of arms. Police successfully rescued the victim and confiscated two firearms—all within four hours.
Operation Smoke – Fuengirola
There has been a major breakthrough in the case of the fatal shooting that occurred on the night of 18 May 2025 outside a cannabis bar located at Calle Asturias. Police discovered 18 shell casings. In the Netherlands, on 17th June, a woman suspected to be transporting weapons in support of the Mocro Maffia group was arrested.
Operation Noria – Sabinillas
Seven men were involved in the kidnapping. Four suspects of Spanish nationality and four Moroccans were arrested by the police, whilst the victim was simultaneously released. The whole operation was completed in 12 hours.
Operation Palomar – Malaga
On 9 April 2025 the authorities conducted an investigation into the fatal shooting of a male on Calle Virgen del Pilar. The suspect was later arrested.
Operation Orenda – Costa del Sol
Four Eastern Europeans (two Russians and two Ukrainians) and two Spanish were arrested in early 2025 for violent robbery and kidnapping. In just six hours, the police concluded their investigation.
Operation Torcal – Costa del Sol
The investigation is ongoing into a violent robbery that involved a Moroccan and a Spaniard who were kidnapped. Described as a ‘high-profile’ incident, two of five suspects are in custody – one in El Puerto de Santa María – while arrest warrants are out for three others believed to be abroad.
Operation Bicol – Costa del Sol
Five Spanish nationals have been arrested on charges of robbery and violence, illegal detention and criminal association. The case was concluded in just three months.
Operation Wolverine – Marbella
This remains open: the kidnapping and serious assault of a Spanish citizen outside Lobito de Mar restaurant on the Golden Mile resulted in the victim being held for four days in Rincón de la Victoria. Within a week, two suspects had been identified.
Operation Mosque – Marbella
A man was shot 10 times at a Guadalmina café on April 13, 2024. On May 10, suspects had been arrested in Seville, Madrid and other cities. Case closed in just 20 days.
Operation Orange – Marbella
Triggered by a shooting on Calle Almogía in the Los Naranjos neighbourhood on April 2, 2024, injuring a man with two gunshot wounds. Three suspects have been arrested on the 7th of May. Two replicas and a pistol with a silencer were confiscated. The case was resolved within a week.
Operation Verde – Marbella
A man fired outside a Puerto Banus pub. Although five suspects were identified in five days, they were not arrested until the 16th of July. Seized were an AK-47 and two revolvers. Three pistols and five kilograms of cocaine.
Operation Sala – Marbella
This operation investigated an incident on March 11, 2024, when shots were fired at a restaurant façade. Two British men in the 40s were arrested after ten days. The investigation was concluded within a week.
Operation Falla – Marbella
On 10 February 2024, nine shots were fired in Yedra at two victims. One was injured in the arm. Five people were arrested in Yedra on 13 March, despite the fact that the main suspect fled the country the next day. Four Swedes and a German. A Glock was found, along with ammunition. In a month, the case was resolved.
