A potentially deadly shooting has been thwarted in Torrevieja after a gunman was spotted ‘acting suspiciously’ by a Guardia Civil officer.

The force revealed today that the incident happened in July while officers happened to be carrying out routine patrols in the town.

They noticed how two men suddenly changed direction when they saw them before attempting to leave the area, raising alarm bells.

The officers decided to approach the duo and ask them for identification.

According to the Guardia Civil, of the men appeared visibly nervous while searching for his documents inside a shoulder bag.

Concerned by his behaviour, officers searched the bag and discovered a semi-automatic pistol fitted with a magazine containing 13 rounds, along with another live round already chambered, meaning the weapon was ready to fire immediately.

The suspect was not licensed to possess or carry firearms.

Investigators also found that part of the pistol’s serial number had been deliberately removed, making it more difficult to trace its origin.

Such weapons are typically used by organised crime gangs to carry out gangland assassinations.

The investigation was handed over to the Guardia Civil’s Investigation Unit in Torrevieja.

Checks revealed that both men had previous records relating to illegal weapons offences and organised crime.

Following further inquiries, officers searched a property linked to one of the suspects, where they recovered another loaded magazine and a suspected forged foreign identity card.

The false document has been seized as investigators try to establish its origin and whether it had been used to conceal the identity of those involved.

One of the men was released after officers confirmed his true identity, although he remains under investigation.

The second suspect was arrested on suspicion of illegal possession of firearms, document forgery and membership of a criminal organisation.

The investigation continues.