Ávila, April 27, 2023.- His Majesty El Rey, has visited the vicinity of the Refuge "El Mellizo", located in a protected natural environment of Navacepeda de Tormes (Ávila) in the Sierra de Gredos, where he has been able to know at first hand the capabilities of SEPRONA to fight against environmental crimes.
La directora general, Mercedes González, ha realizado una presentación sobre la unidad a S. M. in which he has praised SEPRONA as a specialized unit that is defined “by its originality and historical anticipation”. In this sense, González recalled that already in the Civil Guard Card of 1845 was included as one of his main obligations “the conservation of mountains and trees”.
Mercedes González has highlighted SEPRONA as a reference unit in the international arena for the rest of the police in the world, faithfully reflecting the high regard that the specialty has in the international arena.
In turn, he has manifested to S. M. The King that “the Civil Guard has always been a reference for the well-being of citizens and in the promotion of the sustainable development of Spanish society”.
González has cited climate change and global warming as adversities that require “decisive and firm” actions, and has highlighted the responsibility of SEPRONA in research and the fight against forest fires, especially in the high-temperature episode in which we find ourselves.
“The climate crisis urgently requires the best to be part of the solution to this problem. And that involves the Civil Guard decisively,” said the General Director of the Corps.
The demonstration of capabilities has been carried out by components of the Central Environmental Operational Unit (UCOMA) of the Headquarters of the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) and has focused on three major areas: biodiversity, responses to desertification and pollution.
Area of biodiversity
In this area, the problem of illicit trafficking in protected species has been explained, highlighting the most typical casuistry in Spain: the smuggling of angles.
Subsequently, there has been talk of non-selective means of hunting and furtivism, exemplifying the problem of poisoned baits and their fatal consequences for biodiversity.
Finally, the problem of animal abuse and the importance of detecting the organizations that carry out pet trafficking has been explained.
Combating desertification
In this area, the response of the Civil Guard to the threat of forest fires has been explained, as well as its subsequent investigation, showing the main tools used for its criminal investigation, specifically to know the origin and cause of them.
In addition, the problems of illegal water extraction in Spain and the work of the Civil Guard in the investigation of this type of crime have been explained.
Pollution
This section has focused on the presentation of topics related to illegal actions or omissions with polluting effects for the ecosystem.
Expert sample collection material has also been exposed, in situ parameter analyses have been shown, as well as their packaging and sealing.
The visit ended with an exhibition of the main means and tactical vehicles of SEPRONA, among them several electric motorcycles that produce zero emissions, a semi-rigid boat used for the surveillance of marshes and several off-road vehicles.
Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA)
The Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) of the Civil Guard was created 35 years ago and currently constitutes the specific judicial police of the Civil Guard in environmental matters.
It is composed of more than 1,500 troops, and consists of a central organ and a peripheral organization.
The SEPRONA Specialty of the Civil Guard currently has a mobile fleet deployed throughout the national territory, consisting of 486 vehicles, 95 of them light vehicles and 1,227 motorcycles –13% of them electric motorcycles–, acquired thanks to the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
For further information, please contact the SEPRONA Press Office at 91 451 36 86 and 608.251.069.
There are images available to the media in the link: www.guardiacivil.es/es/prensa/videos_descarga_medios/2023/index.html