31-year-old man shot dead by police during anti-drug raid in Cambados, Galicia; at least 12 detained
A 31-year-old man died from a police bullet early Tuesday during a coordinated anti-narcotics operation across the O Salnés region of Pontevedra. The girlfriend and family lawyer say he was unarmed and in bed when officers forced entry.
The raid
Agents from the Udyco drug and organised crime unit of Pontevedra, supported by the Guardia Civil, launched simultaneous searches across Vilagarcía de Arousa, Vilanova de Arousa, Ribadumia and Cambados before dawn on Tuesday. The operation was coordinated by the Court of Instruction number 1 of Vilagarcía and remains under judicial secrecy. At least 12 people have been detained, with one source reporting 15 arrests, and searches extended to properties in Madrid and Vigo.
The shooting in Corvillón
The fatal encounter occurred at a house in Corvillón, a parish of Cambados. Jonathan Señorans Trigo, 31, was one of the individuals under investigation for drug trafficking. According to initial police accounts, he emerged from the dwelling when officers arrived and opened fire, prompting an exchange of shots. He was hit in the shoulder and taken to Hospital do Salnés, where he died shortly after arrival despite emergency care.
The patient died shortly afterwards during the first emergency care provided by the hospital's medical team, after his condition deteriorated critically.
Competing narratives
The victim's girlfriend, Laura, told reporters she and Señorans were sleeping when officers broke down the door. She said he got up to see what was happening, looked out, and was shot immediately. She stated there were no firearms in the house and that no words were exchanged before the shot. The family's lawyer, Guillermo Presa, described the incident as "a single police shot," not a firefight, and called the use of force "absolutely unnecessary and disproportionate." He said his client was unarmed and no weapon was found during the search.
There was no shootout. It was a single police shot. My client was not armed and no weapon was found during the search.
They knocked the door down and the noise scared us because we were in bed sleeping. He got up to see what had happened, looked out the door and they shot him.
Investigation and scale
The Guardia Civil has taken over a homicide investigation into the shooting, while the broader anti-drug operation continues under the authority of a Vilagarcía judge. The lawyer indicated the underlying probe relates to hashish trafficking. The mayor of Cambados, Samuel Lago, called the death "an isolated case" and asked for calm, saying the town is safe and that the officer likely did not intend to kill.
The situation is hard for everyone, both for the family and for the officer, who surely did not intend to cause this person's death.
Regional context
O Salnés, in the Rías Baixas, was for decades the epicentre of Galician drug-smuggling clans and a symbol of Spain's fight against narcotics. The operation is described as one of the largest police actions against drug trafficking in the area in recent times, though authorities have not disclosed the quantity of drugs or assets seized.
- Police begin simultaneous searches across Vilagarcía, Vilanova, Ribadumia and Cambados.
- Officers force entry at Corvillón home; Jonathan Señorans Trigo is shot in the shoulder.
- Señorans arrives at Hospital do Salnés with a gunshot wound.
- He dies shortly after admission despite emergency care.
- At least 12 arrests confirmed; Guardia Civil opens homicide investigation.
- Detainees expected to appear before a judge (Thursday).
