Reported by
Spanish authorities have dismantled a weapons trafficking network operating in southern Spain, uncovering the country’s first underground shooting range used to test military-grade firearms intended for sale to criminal groups, officials said Thursday.
Three suspects with extensive criminal records were arrested in coordinated raids across the province of Granada, including the cities of Granada, Loja, and Moraleda de Zafayona. Eleven properties were searched during the operation, which yielded a large cache of weapons, ammunition, cash, and marijuana plants, the Spanish police said.
The shooting range, found three floors underground, was concealed beneath a building and constructed using rudimentary tools to avoid detection. It was soundproofed and showed clear signs of frequent use, with bullets embedded in the walls, police said. Authorities believe the suspects used the facility to test weapons before selling them to organized crime groups.
Officers seized several assault rifles, a submachine gun, handguns, and €60,000 ($64,000) in cash, along with two indoor marijuana plantations. Many of the weapons had been buried in a plot located in Granada’s Almanjayar industrial estate.
Investigators said the suspects trafficked military-grade weapons to drug gangs, offering pistols for up to €7,000 ($7,500) and assault rifles for as much as €11,000 ($11,800). The group used secure messaging platforms to market the firearms and tactical gear, often sharing video footage of live-fire tests and, in some cases, arranging in-person demonstrations.
Authorities described the trafficking ring as “highly professional,” citing the group’s use of advanced security measures that made surveillance and tracking difficult.
Police said the operation removed highly lethal weapons from circulation that could have been used in violent crimes. The investigation is ongoing.
