Palma de Mallorca Police arrested 20 members of an organization dedicated to commit robbery, usually targeting cruise ship passengers and crew. The robberies were conducted by a women approaching their victims on street offering any type of plant or flower in return for a donation and using various "tricks" to seize the money they carry in their wallets.
In a statement, the Police Headquarters in the Balearic Islands has reported that arrested criminals were acting in pairs or groups of three, previously divided areas of activity and its objectives were mainly tourists, especially cruise passengers. Thus, stressed that significant profits allowed them to keep a high standard of living.
The thefts operated in the major tourist areas of the island (near the Cathedral, Jardines del Rey, Queen Square, circle adjacent Sea Park and Ride stretch Sagrera, between Paseo del Borne and Park Sa Faixina).
During the investigation, the officers found that there were two groups of women who had been arrested numerous times for theft in the area. From this data, the police investigation focused on determining membership of a criminal organization investigated.
Finally, there were many signs that confirmed they were part of a highly structured group and that its activity had prior planning. Furthermore, it was found that they enjoyed a high standard of living.
With all the information gathered, the judicial authority requested the completion of thirteen simultaneous recordings, which occurred during the arrest of the 20 members of the organization, all Spanish nationals, except one Italian, Police seized 16 932 euros, numerous bills up to 17 foreign nationalities, various weapons, 92 grams of hashish, 225 grams of hash oil, 89 marijuana plants.
Also, in a house was located a marijuana plantation. Apart from intervened was conducted judicial blocking accounts arrested in which, so far, have been immobilized over 56,000 Euros.
The National Police has revealed the 'modus operandi' of the 'claveleras', those approaching foreign tourists, cruise passengers, usually offering any type of plant or flower in return for a donation.
The group took cash only, which avoided in most cases tourists complaint by the urgency of returning to the ship (if you subtract the passport or credit cards would be forced to report it to the aouthoraties).
