A major operation against islamist extremists is currently underway in Murcia, it has emerged.
At least two arrests have already been made in Cartagena, specifically in the districts of La Palma and La Aparecida, reports La Verdad.
Among the arrests are Spanish nationals, with the investigation related to the radicalisation of individuals in the area.
One of the suspects, a 20 year old of North African origin, is studying computer science.
He lives on Calle Los Robles in a ground-floor apartment, where he has lived with his parents since 2016.
The deployment began early Tuesday morning and lasted for several hours.
Local residents branded the operation ‘impressive’, with street closures, police vans, and about 20 officers wearing vests and balaclavas.
One witness told La Verdad: ‘I heard banging and thought they had hit my car.
‘Then I saw a lot of police cars and officers in vests. One of them, with his face covered, told me to go inside and not come out.
‘They weren’t letting anyone out or even walk down the street. They told my neighbour, who was walking her dog, to turn around. It was scary.’
According to the next door neighbour, the officers entered the building shortly after 9am.
‘We heard noises inside, like furniture being moved,’ they claimed, ‘Then the police came out with several boxes, bags, and a laptop.’
The detainee’s profile didn’t fit the image of someone prone to conflict, according to several residents.
‘I didn’t know the kid very well, but I saw him every day. Always on his computer, very much in his own world,’ explained another neighbour.
During the morning, searches were also carried out in La Aparecida, as part of the same operation, in a coordinated effort across various locations in the municipality of Cartagena.
The investigation remains open and further arrests are possible.
