The National Police have arrested five suspected members of a criminal group in Marbella that raided occupied homes while pretending to be law enforcement officers. They are linked to five violent robberies in Marbella and Alicante, with a total loot valued at around 400,000 euros.
The five detainees, of Albanian nationality and aged between 25 and 40, were intercepted last Thursday while driving a van through a central avenue in Marbella. The agents suspected they were heading to commit a new robbery in the city, according to the Superior Police Headquarters of Eastern Andalusia.
Inside the vehicle, investigators found a cache of five real handguns, tactical silencers, abundant ammunition, and various police materials, including vests, caps, clothing, handcuffs, and flashing lights. They also seized 31,500 euros in cash, frequency jammers, GPS beacons, zip ties, and bent number plates to hinder vehicle identification.
A violent and itinerant organization
The investigation began in December 2025 following two robberies in the province of Alicante. From there, agents managed to link the group to three other robberies committed months earlier in Marbella, where the gang had infrastructure and logistical support to prepare their strikes. In total, they are attributed with five violent robberies in occupied homes, in which they seized jewellery, luxury watches, and cash worth around 400,000 euros.
The gang always operated at night and had a very specific modus operandi: they pretended to be police officers. They wore vests with police insignia, caps, and clothing similar to that of security forces, and used flashing lights to surprise their victims. Once inside the home, they subdued the occupants with zip ties and firearms, and searched the house for hours.
Four searches and six high-end vehicles seized
After the arrests, the National Police carried out four home searches in properties in Marbella and Fuengirola. They seized six high-end vehicles, including a Mercedes S-Class, an Audi Q7, and a BMW X5, which they allegedly used to move around and transport the loot. More police materials, forged documents, and electronic devices were also found.
The detainees are charged with robbery with violence, illegal possession of firearms, document forgery, injuries, crimes against privacy, usurpation of public functions, and membership in a criminal group. The investigation is ongoing, and the Police have requested two European Arrest and Surrender Orders (OEDE) to locate two other suspected members who are outside Spain.
For the residents of Marbella and Fuengirola, this operation is a relief, as the gang had been operating in the area with complete impunity for months. The Police recommend that citizens, in case of any suspicion, call 091 and not open the door without verifying the identity of the officers, even if they are in uniform.
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