A group of supermarket robbers broke up and recovered 10,000 products

The Civil Guard has disbanded a group that was robbing supermarkets and has recovered more than 10,000 products worth more than 10,000,000 euros, according to a statement from the police, who have arrested two and investigated five.

In Operation Klopes, 19 thefts have been clarified, including five in Bizkaia, as well as others committed in various parts of Spain, and efforts continue to be made to confirm 35 thefts committed in Madrid, Burgos and Álava.

The organization had a different structure: some groups moved from different provinces to carry out the theft systematically, and another branch was responsible for receiving and buying the goods, knowing their illicit origin, and then distributing them and re-entering the market through public sales establishments.

The investigation was launched within the framework of the 'Coopera Plan', when several groups were detected travelling from the Community of Madrid to Bizkaia to commit crimes, with five thefts committed on the same day in establishments in Bizkaia.

The study of these early cases made it possible to identify the same pattern and to link it to other robberies in different provinces.

Its members chose non-perishable, low-volume, high-selling products, especially solar creams, razor teeth, deodorants, alcohol bottles, and cosmetic items.

In the two searches carried out, officers seized altered bags so as not to exceed the alarm bells, electromagnets and anti-theft devices in the shops.

The operation also included four inspections, three at drugstores and perfumeries, and one at a cosmetic dispenser's warehouse, where products identical to those stolen were found, advertised as "on offer" and at much lower prices than usual.

Those responsible were unable to provide the purchase documents.