A gang of 19 believed to be responsible for stealing up to 150 top range cars in Cataluña and Valencia have been arrested in a joint operation by the Mossos d’Esquadra and the Civil Guard. The gang, most of whom are from Algeria, is also charged with stealing from tourists at motorway rest stops on the AP-7 between Girona and Alicante.

The vehicles stolen were brand new and are reported to have been stolen from ports in the two regions before they were registered. Officers have recovered 42 cars, together with weapons and ammunition and 16,000 € in cash. Other items recovered include stolen credit cards, mobile phones, passports and other documentation, and a number of laptop computers. The investigation began in November, and was conducted with the cooperation of police in France and Morocco, EFE reports.