Brits, Italians and French made up the majortiy of the 63 people arrested at a week-long mega rave in Spain this week.
The illegal event, dubbed the ‘Big F***ing Party’, was held near the Embalse del Cenajo, within the municipal area of Ferez, in Albacete.
The unlicensed event ran from December 31, 2025 to January 7 (Wednesday), and drew thousands of people from across Spain and Europe.
According to police, most of those arrested are foreign nationals, mainly British, French and Italian.
Of the 63 detainees, 20 were arrested for their alleged involvement in disturbances and clashes with officers in the early hours of December 31, near the hamlet of Cordovilla (Tobarra), when a large convoy of vehicles attempted to establish the rave.
A further 38 people were detained for their direct role in organising the illegal event, while five others were arrested for drug trafficking offences or due to outstanding arrest warrants.
Trucks, sound systems and seized vehicles
Officers also seized 16 heavy vehicles, including lorries and large vans, used to transport sound systems, generators and other infrastructure required to set up the illegal party.
The vehicles have been placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities.
Police estimate that around 3,500 people attended the event, arriving in approximately 2,000 vehicles, including trucks, vans, campervans and motorhomes.
Attendees reportedly travelled from several European countries, including France, Germany, Denmark and the UK.
Safety, drugs and environmental damage
Authorities stressed that the illegality of the event went far beyond the lack of permits. Police warned that gatherings of this kind pose serious risks to public safety, public health, road safety and the environment.
The rave had no medical services, sanitation facilities, cleaning provision or internal security – all of which are mandatory for authorised events. There was also no emergency or evacuation plan, limiting the ability to respond to health incidents, hygiene problems or disorder.
Drug and alcohol use was widespread. Roadside checks carried out as people left the site resulted in nearly 300 drivers testing positive for alcohol or drugs. Police say this prevented a ‘serious threat’ to road safety on surrounding roads.
Environmental concerns were also highlighted. The site chosen by organisers lies within a Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves (ZEPA), an area protected for its birdlife. The land is also unstable and prone to flooding, compounding the risks for those attending.
300 officers deployed
To contain the situation, the Guardia Civil deployed a major security operation involving around 300 officers. A perimeter was established to block access to the natural area and limit the number of attendees, while traffic controls were put in place on nearby roads and rural tracks.
The operation included officers from the Guardia Civil command in Albacete, backed by specialist units from across the country, including USECIC public order units from several provinces, riot-control Grupos de Reserva y Seguridad (GRS), dog-handling units, underwater teams, mounted units, intelligence officers, drones and a helicopter from the Murcia air service.
Police say the scale of the deployment helped prevent the event from reaching the size of previous editions.
Hundreds of fines and court proceedings
In total, officers issued 731 administrative penalties for offences including drug possession, carrying prohibited weapons, breaches of animal welfare and environmental laws, and road traffic violations.
Thanks to thousands of breathalyser and drug tests, police say 287 drivers were prevented from continuing their journeys while under the influence, significantly reducing the risk to other road users.
Criminal proceedings, along with the detained suspects, have now been handed over to the investigating court at Hellín (Court of Instance No. 2), where the case will continue.
