Intensified Police Operation in Seville Following Gang-Related Shooting
In a major operation launched this Wednesday, police in Seville have arrested approximately a dozen individuals and conducted 16 searches in the Las Tres Mil Viviendas neighborhood. This action follows a shooting incident last Saturday that involved assault rifles but fortunately resulted in no injuries.
During a press conference, Francisco Toscano, the Deputy Government Representative in Seville, announced that around 300 officers from various units, including airborne personnel, supported by 50 police vehicles, are involved in this meticulously planned operation. The scale of the effort has increased dramatically in response to the disturbing events of the previous weekend.
Authorities have seized various prohibited materials during the ongoing operation, though Toscano did not clarify whether these included combat weapons such as the suspected AK47 rifles that have raised alarms among the local population in Polígono Sur. The shooting incident is thought to stem from confrontations believed to be between rival gangs competing for drug trade dominance.
Videos circulating on social media have highlighted the gravity of the situation, with sounds of high-caliber gunfire echoing through the neighborhood. Notably, local media have referred to the potential use of AK47 rifles and tracer bullets in these violent exchanges.
In some footage shared online, tracer bullets can be seen lighting up the sky, creating visuals more akin to a war zone than a vibrant city like Seville, as reported by Diario de Sevilla.
The neighborhood of Las Tres Mil is no stranger to violence associated with drug trafficking, and this recent escalation has sparked significant concern among residents. Similar confrontations between rival drug factions have occurred both last Saturday and yesterday, with participants brandishing assault rifles and tracer ammunition to intimidate one another.
Thus far, no injuries or arrests have been reported from these clashes, prompting authorities to deliberate on the necessity of emergency meetings to address the situation. The ongoing police operation aims not only to restore peace to the community but also to curb the growing influence of gangs engaging in violent drug-related activities.
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