Police chief warns marijuana mafias infiltrating Catalan law enforcement
Catalan police chief Ramon Chacón warned that marijuana criminal groups are increasingly penetrating police structures, citing recent discoveries of compromised officers.
During a conference on organized crime and political corruption, Ramon Chacón, head of the Catalan police's criminal investigation unit, warned that marijuana mafias are slowly entering police ranks. He noted that in 2025, officers from the Mossos d'Esquadra were identified within two of the 98 criminal groups broken up in Catalonia. Chacón linked this trend to recent firearm homicides and kidnappings in Barcelona, calling it a symptom of expanding mafia presence.
He cited a case where a resident was coerced into cultivating marijuana in his flat, only to have the product stolen and the group demand a large sum, illustrating how mafias can control housing and local businesses. The chief stressed that if police presence wanes, criminal organizations could impose their own rules and undermine state authority. He also pointed to Spain's leading position in Europe for heroin, cocaine, and marijuana seizures, emphasizing ports like Barcelona, Valencia, Algeciras and Vigo as key entry points.
Why it matters
Mafia infiltration of police threatens public safety and undermines democratic governance in Catalonia.
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