As per the probe carried out by the Second Examining Magistrates’ Court of Cambados and police forces revealed that the use of dynamite during fishing tasks in the lower estuaries of Galicia is greater than initially assumed. Authorities were surprised by the amount of dynamite found and by the declarations of those charged. In Montalvo (Sanxenxo), some 27 kg of explosives were found on 22 June, and on the following Friday, 90 kg. In addition, 1,200 detonators and 100 metres of wick were seized.
The investigation report also revealed that the material appeared half-buried in several carafes located in a shed owned by Manuel Soto, and at a vineyard owned by his son; the detonators were found at a nearby location. For now, Judge Juan Carlos Carballal ordered the arrest of nine people for dynamite use, which could receive sentences of up to eight years in jail.
“Operation Grandfather” was launched in November 2009, when agents of the Civil Guard of Pontevedra infiltrated several ports, like Vigo and Portonovo. In addition, they used high-end audio-visual equipment to record how fishers worked using cartridges loaded with dynamite. The same was recorded at a commercial centre. Cooperative of Fishing Ship-Owners of the Port of Vigo (ARVI) indicated their repudiation “of all those criminal acts ” that can be produced in the sector, in the name of all the producers associations and organisations that conform it.
Given the recent events produced, the authorities ask the competent institutions, in defence of the protection and conservation of the marine surroundings, to apply the corresponding sanctions with all rigour and proportionality, in an effort to once and for all eradicate from our sector irresponsible practises that seriously harm our public image.
The Council of Marine Affairs and Coastguard vessels of Galicia underlined the success of the operation, since “a rise in this kind of practise in the community has been detected as of late.”
