The Guardia Civil has investigated four people in connection with illegal building works in the municipalities of Mazarrón, Lorca and Cartagena. The investigation, known as Operation Áridos, concluded on Wednesday with officers preparing files for alleged offences against town planning regulations, historical heritage protection and the environment.

Specialists from the Nature Protection Service, Seprona, carried out inspections targeting construction on land classified as non-developable. Officers identified three sites where works had been carried out without the required administrative authorisation and where legalisation is not permitted under current planning rules.

At one property, a detached house was found under construction. At another, a farm outbuilding exceeded the size allowed under the local development plan. A third plot had undergone significant earthworks, altering the natural landscape. One of the affected sites borders a Special Protection Area for Birds.

According to technical reports, the land involved is incompatible with the current General Municipal Development Plans of Mazarrón, Lorca and Cartagena. The four people under investigation include developers and builders linked to the unauthorised projects.