The Civil Guard has apprehended an individual accused of executing a minimum of 25 acts of sabotage across various telecommunications infrastructures, photovoltaic installations, and wind turbines, significantly impacting several municipalities in the southern part of the island of Tenerife (Arona, Adeje, Santiago del Teide, Arico, and Granadilla de Abona).
The inquiry commenced following numerous reports lodged by citizens, emergency services, and businesses suffering from the damages inflicted on the infrastructure.
The suspect employed “genuine improvised explosive/incendiary devices” (ARI), which he had previously crafted manually and placed in remote, isolated locations that were challenging to access. The targets were specifically chosen from infrastructures situated within wind and renewable energy sites.
To evade detection or connection to the criminal activities, the arrested individual implemented self-protection, security, and anti-surveillance tactics. He utilised tools to breach perimeter fencing and disable the surveillance cameras, thereby allowing him access to the interior, where he either cut the wiring of the equipment or deployed ARI to ignite fires.
Following an investigation by Civil Guard agents, the perpetrator was identified and apprehended; a 58-year-old man residing in the municipality of Adeje (Tenerife).
Subsequently, the judicial authority sanctioned the entry and search of the suspect’s residence and vehicle, where the Civil Guard agents uncovered a substantial quantity of evidence necessary to elucidate the 25 acts of sabotage.
This operation was executed by agents of the Civil Guard Information Service, alongside other units and specialisations.
