The Guardia Civil said seven people had been arrested in connection with thefts involving goods worth more than €200,000. Investigators allege that the suspects cut open the curtains of parked trailers and loaded the stolen goods into a large van before leaving the scene.
Four of the seven suspects have been remanded in custody. Police are investigating whether the group may also be linked to other unsolved cargo thefts.
The arrests come shortly after another major Guardia Civil operation targeting an international gang accused of stealing goods from moving lorries using the so-called ‘surfer’ method. The Valladolid investigation, by contrast, concerns thefts from stationary vehicles.
Lorries targeted while drivers rested
The investigation, codenamed BARQUERAPA, began in early February 2026 after officers identified an increase in cargo thefts, particularly at the Tuduero industrial estate in the municipality of Tudela de Duero.
Investigators traced the incidents to a group based in Valladolid. According to the Guardia Civil, the suspects mainly targeted lorries parked at industrial estates and rest areas, striking at night while drivers were taking their statutory rest periods.
Police allege that the group cut open trailer curtains, removed goods and loaded them into a large van. Investigators also said the suspects were prepared to use intimidation or violence if challenged.
Vehicles changed and number plates concealed
The group allegedly took several measures to avoid identification. Police said the suspects frequently changed vehicles, concealed number plates during thefts and altered the composition of the group involved in each incident.
Despite these measures, investigators were able to gather sufficient evidence to identify the alleged members of the group.
Four suspects detained after Tuduero theft
The investigation reached a turning point on 10 July, when officers detained four suspects returning to Valladolid after an alleged theft from a lorry parked at the Tuduero industrial estate.
The Guardia Civil recovered all the goods taken in the incident. Those detained were identified as residents of Valladolid.
In the following days, officers searched two homes and commercial premises in the city. They seized items that may be connected with earlier thefts. Three more men were subsequently detained on suspicion of involvement in some of the incidents under investigation.
Losses exceed €200,000
Investigators estimate that the group may have stolen goods worth more than €200,000. All seven suspects are being investigated on suspicion of aggravated theft and membership of an organised criminal group. Four have been remanded in custody.
The investigation remains open. Officers are working to establish where some of the seized goods came from and whether the suspects may be linked to further unsolved cargo thefts.
Two operations targeting different methods
The Valladolid arrests are the second major Guardia Civil operation against cargo theft announced in recent weeks.
The group targeted in the earlier investigation allegedly operated across several EU countries and stole goods from lorries while they were moving. Investigators said the suspects approached selected vehicles in a specially modified car, breached the trailers and removed part of the cargo without forcing the lorries to stop.
That group was linked to 11 thefts in Spain between February and May 2026, causing estimated losses of €481,000. The Valladolid suspects, by contrast, allegedly targeted stationary lorries at parking areas and industrial estates while drivers were resting.
In both investigations, police described organised groups whose members had defined roles and took deliberate steps to avoid identification. The latest arrests underline the continuing threat posed by cargo theft on European road freight routes, particularly at parking areas and rest stops.
