Four detainees, arriving on flights from the United Kingdom, acted in a coordinated manner to steal tobacco and high-end perfumes and leave the island within hours.
The Guardia Civil has dismantled two criminal groups dedicated to shoplifting at Palma airport. The four detainees, three women and one man aged between 26 and 44, are accused of committing several thefts in the airport terminal shops.
The investigation was initiated after agents detected a succession of thefts in the airport shops over several consecutive days. All incidents followed the same pattern: quick, coordinated actions with a planned escape to avoid being discovered.
Thanks to the analysis of surveillance cameras, investigators managed to identify the suspects, who had arrived in Mallorca on flights from the United Kingdom. The inquiries confirmed that they belonged to two itinerant criminal groups specialised in stealing at Spanish airports.
Their strategy involved moving from one airport to another solely to commit thefts and leaving the location on pre-organised flights. On many occasions, the entire criminal operation unfolded in less than two hours from the moment they landed, which is why this type of action is known as express theft.
The modus operandi of these gangs consisted of taking advantage of the large influx of passengers in the commercial areas to steal cartons of tobacco and high-end perfumes, products of high economic value and easy resale. While some members executed the theft, others monitored the movements of security personnel and law enforcement to facilitate the escape and minimise the risk of being discovered.
One detail that particularly caught the investigators' attention was that the alleged criminals changed clothes in the airport restrooms before leaving the premises, thus making it more difficult for agents and security cameras to identify them.
As a result of the operation, the Guardia Civil has arrested the four alleged members of both organisations and has recovered stolen items worth approximately €10,000.
With this action, investigators have managed to dismantle two groups specialised in thefts at airports, a criminal modality that takes advantage of the large influx of travellers and the constant movement in terminals to act quickly and try to go unnoticed.
The operation represents a reinforcement of security at Palma airport, one of the busiest passenger transit points in the islands. The Guardia Civil advises travellers to be vigilant with their belongings and report any suspicious activity to security personnel, as these groups tend to operate during peak times.
The detainees have been placed at the disposal of the judiciary, although the case remains open and further arrests are not ruled out. The investigation continues to determine whether these gangs had operated at other Spanish airports and if there are more stolen products yet to be recovered.
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