March 05, 2024.- The government delegate in Castilla y León, Nicanor Sen, presented on Tuesday the result of an important action carried out by the Civil Guard, within the framework of ‘Operation Marco Polo’, which has allowed to dismantle a dangerous workshop and illegal deposit of explosives that was located in a block of homes in Burgos.

The operation was led by the Chief Lieutenant Colonel of the Burgos Command, Alfonso Martín, and Captain Alejandro Hernández, who have reported the arrest of a 31-year-old man as the perpetrator of the crimes of deposit of explosives and against public health for drug trafficking.

In the three searches carried out – two homes and one more in the garage – the agents have found more than 60 kilos of precursors of explosives, with 200 types of chemicals. In addition, half a kilo of explosive mixtures already prepared to explode, laboratory material and 500 firecrackers and flares. The detainee also had 25 kilos of speed – one of the biggest apprehensions in Castilla and León – as well as half a kilo of various narcotics.

During the presentation, Sen conveyed his congratulations to the entire Burgos Command and, in extension, to the entire Corps, given that operations of the depth of what was presented this Tuesday “are the result of the intense and applied work of the Security Forces and Corps that maintains this Community in levels of crime well below the Spanish average and that, far from conforming, it gives itself more zealously to continue reducing those levels”.

The delegate pointed out that the work of the agents of the Civil Guard has allowed to stop the activity of a person who, allegedly, was manipulating, without any security, explosive material in a garage, with neighbors, nearby establishments and a children's park a few meters away. “Avoiding the avoidable is the day-to-day work of the Security Forces and Corps, so it is right to congratulate and take stock of those operations that allow us to become aware of the transcendence of their work,” said Sen.

OPERATION

The operation has had an important safety device, being decisive the action of the TEDAX specialists in the deactivation of explosives, in the presence of already prepared explosive mixtures, with a high probability of explosion in the face of improper handling.

Investigated since last year, this neighbour of the Burmese capital was linked to the illegal acquisition and storage of explosives precursor materials, several of them from the black market since their sale to unlicensed individuals is prohibited in the European Union.

The suspect had received laboratory materials and explosive precursor chemicals through parcels, through national and international shipments. He moved the contents to a lonja garage located at the bottom of a neighbors’ building, which he used as a manufacturing workshop and warehouse.

The investigations carried out by the researchers revealed that he was a great fan of explosive and pyrotechnic devices, and had a high knowledge of the subject, since he had worked in the past in companies in the field.

The detainee had a hydraulic press in the stable, of great volume and weight, which would serve for the pressing and molding of the explosive mixtures already elaborated. In this way, the correct granulate and the appropriate form were obtained in the container where it would finally be introduced. This proves that the product was intended for clandestine sale on the black market, from which it was profitable.

The preliminary report prepared by the TEDAX reflects the dangerousness of this illegal workshop for the artisanal production of explosive material, where precursors and chemical products were handled and stored - without any safety measures - in the same space, confined and unventilated place. All this under a serious and real threat of fire or accidental explosion in a densely inhabited urban area.

On the morning of yesterday, Monday, March 4, the detainee was presented together with the proceedings instituted before the judicial authority, which has determined his admission to prison.

The investigations have been conducted by Examining Court No. 4 of Burgos and carried out by the Information Group of the Burgos Guard Command supported by the Information Headquarters. The Explosives Deactivation Group (GEDEX), Judicial Police, Cinological Group, USECIC and Citizen Security of this Command have also participated in the device.