Authorities in Cartagena, Murcia, recently conducted a major operation that resulted in the dismantling of a marijuana grow operation in the Santa Lucía district. On the fourth of March, agents from the National Police and the Tax Agency’s Customs Surveillance seized over three hundred marijuana plants during their raid, arresting two individuals suspected of committing crimes against public health and electricity fraud.

Investigations led the authorities to identify a fraudulent electricity connection, which the suspects used to eliminate high electricity costs associated with growing marijuana. The investigation involved extensive surveillance of the area, confirming the existence of the illicit cultivation, which was equipped with advanced cultivation technology.

The operation revealed an elaborate setup including twelve air conditioning units, nineteen fans, and numerous lighting and extraction systems, all of which were illegally modified to maximise plant growth. Proper safety measures were taken, requiring the assistance of energy company technicians to mitigate fire risks associated with the unsafe electrical connections.

On the sixth of March, following further inquiries, a second individual was linked to the operation. This investigation exemplifies the collaborative efforts of the Customs Surveillance team and the National Police in combating drug-related crime in the region.