Authorities in⁤ Cambrils, Tarragona, spain, have arrested two men ⁢- aged ⁢23 and ⁢46​ – in connection with a elegant drug trafficking and electricity fraud scheme. The arrests, made on⁣ Thursday, November 7, 2024, followed a raid on ⁤an indoor marijuana ⁤plantation located on⁢ Cap de Tortosa street in ‌the Vilafortuny neighborhood.

The ​operation uncovered 297⁣ marijuana ‍plants, estimated to‍ have a street ‌value exceeding 26,000 euros. Beyond‍ the illegal cultivation, investigators ​discovered important tampering⁤ with the electrical grid, resulting in⁣ what​ authorities described as “disproportionate energy consumption.” This practise,known as electricity theft,is often employed in large-scale⁣ indoor grow ⁤operations to avoid​ detection and reduce costs.

The illicit⁤ activity was ⁤brought to​ light through the ⁣work of ‌the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan police force. The suspects​ are expected to appear ‍in court in Reus within⁤ the next 24 hours to face charges⁤ related to both ​drug trafficking and the fraudulent use of electricity.‌

This ⁣case highlights ‍the ​growing trend of organized crime utilizing residential properties for illegal drug production and⁢ the associated risks of ⁢electrical⁣ hazards and financial losses to​ utility companies. Investigations are ⁣ongoing⁢ to determine the full extent of the operation and any potential accomplices.