Vitoria-Gasteiz has been the scene of an operation by the Civil Guard that has culminated in the arrest of five individuals linked to a violent youth group called '015'. The arrests occur within the framework of an investigation pointing to their involvement in crimes related to membership in a criminal group, robbery with violence and intimidation, as well as illegal possession of weapons.
Arrests and searches
The arrests were made following the execution of two searches at the homes of the alleged main members of the group, as well as another in a storage room. During these interventions, materials were seized that will be analyzed to advance the investigation.
Context of youth violence
The group '015' is said to have emerged as an imitation of previously dismantled criminal organizations, such as the “Blood” and “Trinitarios”, in various parts of the country. These groups are characterized by their hierarchical structure and their intensive use of violence, often exploiting minors to carry out crimes due to their lesser criminal responsibility.
Between 2021 and 2025, the Civil Guard has dismantled other similar groups in the Basque Country, thus indicating a worrying trend of these collectives to expand their territorial control and increase their criminal capacity.
These groups identify themselves through specific symbolism, such as scarves, caps, and graffiti, which mark their territory and recruit new members. The violence used generates a clear social alarm in the affected communities.
The operation aligns with the Police Action and Coordination Plan against Violent Youth Groups, updated by the Ministry of the Interior, which seeks to adapt the police response to the growing problem of these groups.
To address the issue of youth violence, the Civil Guard has increased its monitoring on social media, where these groups maintain a strong presence to coordinate actions and attract new members.
The investigation has been coordinated by the Instruction Section of the Vitoria-Gasteiz Court of First Instance, which has authorized all actions taken.
The Civil Guard continues to work on dismantling these groups to mitigate their impact on society and protect the most vulnerable victims, especially minors.
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