A large-scale special operation called Banu was held in Barcelona by Georgia's Interior Ministry and Spain's law enforcement agencies.
According to the MIA of Georgia, intensive 1-year operative and investigation efforts preceded the operation.
''Following the special operation, Spanish LEOs have detained nine criminal group members, including eight citizens of Georgia and one Russian.
They are facing charges envisaged in Articles 237 and 570 of the Criminal Law of Spain. The articles cover the crimes of burglary and criminal group membership, with perpetrators facing up to five years of a prison sentence.
Following the court judgment, the detainees' flats were searched.
The accused will be brought before the court on 22 October,'' the statement by the MIA reads.
