Eight men have been arrested by the SEPRONA unit of the Civil Guard for their alleged involvement in vandalising historical sites in the mining areas of Cartagena and La Unión. This operation, known as ‘Cartatag’, was launched in collaboration with Local Police and is part of the Plan for the Defence of Spain’s Historical Heritage.

The investigation began in February, after local police reported several instances of graffiti defacing Cultural Heritage Sites, as classified under Spanish law. These areas are protected for their historical significance and house numerous mining structures including chimneys, furnaces, and machinery.

Detectives focused on tracing the roots of the vandalism, utilising the pseudonyms used by the graffiti artists. Their efforts resulted in identifying eight individuals, residents of Madrid and Murcia, aged between twenty-nine and forty-one. They now face charges under articles three hundred and twenty-three and three hundred and twenty-four of the Spanish Penal Code.

The damage caused not only incurs significant financial costs for public administration, which is responsible for repairs, but also poses a threat to the integrity of the Heritage as restoration requires the use of aggressive chemicals that can further degrade its original condition.