Guardia Civil rescues person who tried to cross from Tenerife to Gran Canaria on a wooden pallet

The Guardia Civil rescued a person who was attempting to cross the strait between Tenerife and Gran Canaria in an extremely dangerous way – floating on a simple wooden pallet.

Officers of the Maritime Service of the Guardia Civil of Tenerife rescued a 37-year-old man who was in distress at sea while drifting on a wooden pallet off the coast of the municipality of Arona, more precisely in the area of Las Galletas.

The emergency services were alerted by the Maritime Rescue Service after a report of a person in distress off the coast of Las Galletas. The crew of the Guardia Civil patrol boat "Río Guadiato" immediately went to the area and began the search.

The officers were finally able to locate the man, floating on a wooden pallet. He was taken to a Guardia Civil dinghy and rescued from his life-threatening situation.

After the rescue, the man stated that he had been trying to reach the island of Gran Canaria this way. At the time of rescue, he was responsive and apparently uninjured, but was showing early signs of hypothermia. He was taken to the port of Las Galletas and treated by a medically equipped ambulance for further examination.

Three men arrested at Tenerife North Airport with 1.5 kg of gold – tried to leave the island

At Tenerife North Airport, three men were stopped by the Guardia Civil as they attempted to leave the island with 1.5 kilograms of contraband gold. Two of the suspects were carrying the gold directly on their person. Thanks to the swiftly organized operation, a third suspect was also quickly located and arrested.

Guardia Civil officers from the customs unit at Tenerife North Airport recently stopped three men aged between 42 and 44 as they were about to pass through security to board a flight to Madrid.

Two of the men were caught carrying a bag containing numerous gold coins, each weighing over 1.5 kilograms, hidden on their stomachs. They were unable to provide any conclusive information about the origin of the gold and behaved noticeably nervously. Their answers were contradictory and did not contain any concrete information about the provenance of the valuables.

The third man was identified shortly afterward as he also attempted to pass through the security checkpoint. An immediate investigation by the Guardia Civil revealed that he was traveling with the other two.

As part of further investigations, the Guardia Civil contacted the National Police, which was already investigating several gold thefts on the island. The three men and the seized gold were subsequently handed over to the National Police so they could continue their ongoing investigation.

Guardia Civil solves six break-ins in hotel complex on Fuerteventura.

The alleged perpetrator took advantage of the fact that hotel guests left the patio doors open in order to gain unnoticed access to the rooms.

The Guardia Civil on Fuerteventura has solved six property crimes that occurred between the end of March and May 2025. Cash, electronic devices, jewelry, and various personal items were stolen from several apartments in a hotel complex in Costa Calma.

The investigation began after several affected holidaymakers filed a complaint at the main post in Morro Jable in March.

According to the victims, the perpetrators used the early evening hours, while guests were having dinner at the hotel buffet, to gain access to the apartments. There, they stole cash, electronic devices such as tablets and laptops, watches, and other personal items.

In total, approximately 2,220 euros in cash, electronic devices worth approximately 630 euros and personal items worth approximately 1,136 euros were stolen in the six crimes.

The Investigation Department of the Morro Jable headquarters subsequently launched a comprehensive investigation. All crimes were committed in the same area and with identical methods.

The Guardia Civil then analyzed the existing video footage from the hotel complex's security cameras, which – together with further information and targeted surveillance at the time in question – led to the identification and subsequent arrest of the suspected perpetrator.

The investigation is ongoing, particularly with the aim of recovering the stolen goods. Further arrests cannot be ruled out.

The arrested person was transferred to the riot court in Puerto del Rosario along with the investigation documents.

Two people targeted for illegal fishing in the Chinijo Archipelago

During the operation, 14 fish were confiscated – with a total weight of 41 kilograms.

On 31 May 2025, the Guardia Civil's deep-sea patrol vessel "Río Segura", based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, intercepted two people caught spearfishing in the Chinijo Archipelago Nature Reserve, specifically between the island of Montaña Clara and Roque del Oeste, as part of an operation to protect endangered species.

The two individuals were caught aboard an inflatable boat while illegally underwater hunting. They were carrying spearguns and freediving equipment. At the time of the arrest, they had already caught 14 fish, including species such as abades, groupers (meros), sama roquera, striped bream (sargo breado), and rockfish (brótola de roca) – with a total weight of 41 kilograms. Both the catch and the spearguns were confiscated.

As a reminder, this type of fishing is strictly prohibited within a 500-meter radius of the low-tide line of the islands of Montaña Clara and Roque del Oeste. Even more stringent restrictions apply in the specially protected area around Roque del Este—within a one-nautical-mile radius.

Man arrested on La Palma – eight gold bars worth over 53,000 euros stolen

Thanks to intensive investigations, the Guardia Civil managed to recover all eight stolen gold bars. The suspected perpetrator was arrested, and the judicial authorities have ordered his pre-trial detention.

The Guardia Civil has arrested a man residing on the island of La Palma. He is suspected of burglarizing a residential building and stealing eight gold bars with a total value of over €53,000.

The investigation began after the victim filed a complaint with the Guardia Civil. The case was taken over by the Territorial Team of the Criminal Investigation Department.

To prevent the gold bars from being sold or removed from the island, the Guardia Civil immediately launched a large-scale and complex investigation operation.

For several days, customs and security units intensified checks of passengers and luggage at the island's port and airport. The goal was to prevent any potential export of the gold bars in a timely manner.

At the same time, security patrol units in public spaces increased their checkpoints for people and vehicles – with the same goal: to obtain clues as to the whereabouts of the stolen bars.

All relevant investigative services of the Guardia Civil on La Palma were activated and conducted discreet investigations – including a detailed analysis of the break-in, the modus operandi, and the evidence secured by the criminal investigation specialists.

Thanks to this work, the suspected perpetrator was identified, arrested, and the entire gold treasure was secured just a few days after the crime.

Due to the overwhelming evidence, the competent court ordered the suspect to be remanded in custody.

Several checks carried out in nightclubs on the island of Lanzarote

The Guardia Civil, in cooperation with other police units, has carried out checks in various nightlife establishments on the island of Lanzarote.

On 24 May 2025, the Lanzarote Civil Guard, together with the National Police, the Tías Municipal Police and the Provincial Labour and Social Inspectorate, carried out a preventive public safety operation in the main nightlife areas and bars of Puerto del Carmen.

The aim of the operation was to ensure coordinated action by the authorities involved in their respective areas of responsibility in order to cover the broadest possible spectrum of controls.

The Guardia Civil increased its presence in Puerto del Carmen through several preventive security checks, working closely with the National Police, which was responsible for verifying the identity of individuals and investigating possible cases of illegal residence in the country.

At the same time, officers from the Tías Local Police supported administrative inspections of the nightclubs. They specifically checked licenses and permits in accordance with Canary Islands Law 4/2011 on Activities and Public Events Requiring Licensing.

In addition, employees of the Provincial Labour and Social Inspectorate of Lanzarote participated and carried out the required labour law inspections in the inspected establishments.

With this initiative, the Guardia Civil underscores its ongoing commitment to public safety and the common good. The action also demonstrates the close cooperation between the security and enforcement forces deployed on Lanzarote, whose primary goal is the protection of the population and, by extension, the safety of the island's numerous visitors.

Guardia Civil catches two poachers with 16 hunting dogs during the closed season

The Guardia Civil surprised two suspected poachers during the legal closed season—accompanied by a total of 16 hunting dogs. Some of the dogs still had freshly killed rabbits in their mouths at the time of the check.

The incident occurred in the municipality of Fuencaliente (La Palma). Particular attention was paid to the active support of the Fuencaliente Municipal Animal Welfare Association, which took care of the animals' care and accommodation.

As part of a public security operation in the municipality of Fuencaliente, Guardia Civil officers from the Los Llanos de Aridane headquarters caught two men illegally hunting during the closed season – accompanied by a total of 16 hunting dogs, only five of which were microchipped.

Officers observed some of the dogs still carrying rabbits in their mouths, which immediately confirmed the suspicion of illegal hunting. The Guardia Civil then initiated search operations to identify the owners – and eventually discovered the two men at a makeshift hunting stand along with the other dogs. The suspects repeatedly attempted to obstruct the officers' investigations.

The vehicle used – a pickup truck that the men had used to go hunting – was also found on site and clearly identified by the officers.

The Guardia Civil expressly thanked the animal welfare organization of the Fuencaliente city council, which took care of the care and accommodation of some of the dogs.

Both men were charged with a total of 15 administrative offenses, including:

• According to the Canary Islands Hunting Law (Law 7/1988 of 6 July), for minor, less serious, serious and very serious violations of Articles 46 to 50. The penalties range from 600 to 3,000 euros and may include hunting bans and confiscations.
• Additionally, according to the Spanish road traffic regulations, as violations were also detected in connection with the vehicle they had used for illegal hunting.

The Guardia Civil arrests two people for robbery with violence on the island of Gran Canaria

The perpetrators used the “Mataleón” method to knock the victim unconscious and then rob him.

Last May, the Guardia Civil arrested two people who were involved in a violent robbery with bodily harm, using the extremely dangerous method known as the “mataleón.”

The meticulous and comprehensive investigative unit at the main post in Vecindario was crucial in solving the case and bringing those responsible to justice.

In the early hours of May 21, 2025, around 3:00 a.m., the victim was walking with two suitcases to the airport to catch a flight. At that moment, she was approached by two men—one on an e-scooter—who repeatedly asked her for cigarettes. After she ignored them, the two initially separated, but reappeared a few minutes later at a bus stop where the woman was studying timetables. From there, they continuously observed her from across the street.

The planning of the attack became apparent when the victim was walking toward the chosen bus stop and was attacked from behind with a chokehold on her neck, known as the "mataleón" method. The swift and brutal attack deprived her of air and likely led to unconsciousness. When she regained consciousness, she was lying on the ground, bleeding from her nose.

The rapid intervention of some passers-by, alerted by the victim's screams, was crucial in providing her with assistance until the arrival of the Guardia Civil and emergency services.

As a result of the brutal attack, the woman suffered a broken nose, a traumatic brain injury, and a bruised shoulder – which clearly demonstrates the severity of the attack.

The perpetrators stole a suitcase containing a wallet with 40 euros, personal documents, a credit card and a mobile phone.

After the report was filed, investigators from the Vecindario police station carefully reviewed surveillance camera footage from the area surrounding the crime scene. This allowed them to reconstruct the perpetrators' movements before and after the robbery, confirming that the crime was planned and well-organized. The perpetrators had deliberately chosen their victim and developed a detailed plan for the robbery. The investigation was expanded to include the perpetrators' use of public bus lines, including identifying boarding and alighting points.

On May 27, 2025, one of the attackers was finally identified. The victim clearly recognized him, which led to his arrest.

Person reported for animal cruelty in Icod de los Vinos

A total of three dogs, two cats and one rabbit were rescued – all of them showed clear signs of neglect and lack of food and water.

On May 26, officers from the SEPRONA Environmental Protection Service of the Guardia Civil in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife command identified a person as a suspected perpetrator of a violation of the Animal Welfare Act. The allegation: obvious signs of neglect and a lack of food and water for a total of three dogs, two cats, and a rabbit.

Tip from the public leads to deployment

The case came to light after several citizens alerted the Guardia Civil security forces in Puerto de la Cruz, prompted by a strong odor of decay emanating from a residential building in the town of Icod de los Vinos. Officers from the PAPRONA environmental unit then arrived and discovered serious hygiene deficiencies on site: The animals were living in a completely neglected environment, surrounded by their own excrement and urine. The apartment was infested with flies and other insects – a result of the advanced decomposition of large quantities of feces.

The animals showed clear symptoms of malnutrition, dehydration and muscle weakness – their condition was so critical that rescue measures were initiated immediately.

Rescue under veterinary supervision

With the assistance of units of the Guardia Civil in Puerto de la Cruz and the local police of Icod de los Vinos, the animals were immediately removed from the house and taken to an animal shelter. The animals are receiving care and medical attention under veterinary supervision. Accommodation was arranged by the Icod de los Vinos Municipality.

During the inspection, it was found that none of the animals had vaccination certificates, and only two of them were microchipped, although this is mandatory under current law: the Canary Islands Animal Welfare Act (Law 8/1991 of April 30), the current Animal Welfare Act (Law 7/2023 of March 28), and Law 50/1999 of December 23 on the keeping of potentially dangerous animals.

Investigations and legal action

In parallel with the rescue efforts, SEPRONA officers, with the support of the Guardia Civil from Puerto de la Cruz, began searching for the animal's owner. He was identified and located that same day.

The accused was handed over to the Icod de los Vinos standby court along with the collected evidence.