A gang of more than 20 airport thieves has been apprehended in Gran Canaria
The Guardia Civil has dismantled a criminal network of more than 20 suspected thieves responsible for a wave of thefts at several airports across Spain, including Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Madrid.
So far in 2025, officers have arrested around 20 people linked to at least 26 robberies from Duty Free shops in the restricted area of Gran Canaria Airport.
The stolen goods, mainly aftershaves, perfumes, tobacco products and branded clothing, are valued at over €24,000.
The most recent arrests took place on 24th November, when two men aged 41 and 35 were detained for their alleged involvement in repeated thefts from airport stores.
The operation followed a noticeable spike in shoplifting reports. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage, collected staff testimonies and analysed the behaviour patterns of those involved. Their work led to the identification and arrest of the suspects, all of whom have been brought before the courts. A further 12 people remain under investigation.
According to the Guardia Civil, many of the detainees had previous records for similar crimes in other Spanish airports, suggesting the group formed a nationwide network operating in Spain’s airports.
The investigation was led by the Guardia Civil’s Fiscal and Borders Unit, responsible for customs and border security controls, with crucial assistance from private security personnel working in the duty-free shops, who helped detect and identify the perpetrators.
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