National Police deploy operation on Peña Gorbea boulevard, Puente de Vallecas
The National Police increase their presence on the Peña Gorbea boulevard in Puente de Vallecas, following years of complaints from residents over drug trafficking and Latin American gangs.
Police operation on Peña Gorbea boulevard amid rising insecurity
The National Police have launched a specific security operation this week on the boulevard of Peña Gorbea street in the Madrid district of Puente de Vallecas. According to ABC, the operation responds to repeated demands from residents, who have been reporting insecurity for years marked by drug dealing and the presence of Latin American gangs.
Agents deployed in the area carry out continuous preventive controls: random identity checks, documentation verification and close monitoring of surrounding streets. They have also increased enforcement for drug possession and public alcohol consumption. The objective of the operation, according to police sources, is that the very presence of the agents will reduce the usual uncivil behaviour in the area.
Residents on edge for years
Last summer, residents of the boulevard told ABC about the situation in the place. They described drug sales in broad daylight, gang members lurking on street corners, bladed weapons hidden in lofts and among bushes, and a growing number of homeless people and polytoxicomaniacs sleeping on mattresses on the pavements.
"We feel very defenceless and everything seems to be getting worse," declared Luis — a fictitious name, as he explained, out of fear of reprisals — in statements reported by the newspaper. Residents also pointed out that they had lost the peace of mind to sit on a terrace, aware that they were being watched at all times. Regardless of the day of the week, groups of drug users occupied the corners and drank beer on the benches until early morning, among music and shouts.
Drug-dealing flat dismantled and weapons seized
The situation has not improved since then. The latest joint operation by the National Police and Municipal Police in the district resulted in the dismantling of a drug-dealing flat and the arrest of three people — two women and one man — for alleged offences against public health, unlawful possession of weapons and handling of stolen goods.
The investigation began in late February, following an intervention in a public place. As the investigation progressed, agents detected intense foot traffic of people entering and leaving the property within minutes. This pattern allowed them to obtain judicial authorisation for a search of the flat, which took place on 21 August. Inside they found over one gramme of heroin, over 500 euros in cash, a military knife, ten flick knives, a folding hand saw, a sword and a hammer.
New video surveillance cameras in the neighbourhood
At the beginning of the year, Madrid City Council announced the installation of new video surveillance systems in the Peña Gorbea area. The measure expands the 25 cameras already installed during the first term of Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and arises as a direct response to complaints from residents of the San Diego neighbourhood.
In the course of the current term, 54 new cameras have been installed across different points of the capital. The last activation corresponded to Pradolongo park, in the Usera district, in January last. Municipal Police now oversee a total of 404 video surveillance cameras, whose images are managed exclusively by the officers and stored for a set period in a municipal centre.
Source: ABC