Central Operative Unit
Central Operative Unit's name resonates in the minds of many, whether because of its impact on society, its relevance in today's world or simply because of its historical legacy. Central Operative Unit has been the subject of debate, study and admiration over the years, and its influence has transcended borders and generations. In this article we will explore different aspects of Central Operative Unit, from its origin to its impact today, including its achievements, controversies and the legacy it has left in society. Through a detailed analysis, we will discover the importance of Central Operative Unit and its role in the field in which it operates, offering a comprehensive perspective that allows us to better understand its relevance in today's world.
| Central Operative Unit | |
|---|---|
| Unidad Central Operativa (Spanish) | |
 Emblem of the UCO | |
| Active | 1987-present |
| Country | Spain |
| Agency | Civil Guard |
| Abbreviation | UCO |
| Structure | |
| Agents | 550 |
The Central Operative Unit (Spanish: Unidad Central Operativa, UCO) is a specialized division of the Civil Guard of Spain responsible for the investigation and prosecution of the most serious forms of crime and organized crime, whether national or international, as well as support to the Territorial Units of Judicial Police, that, due to lack of personnel or resources, or because the criminal field is more than one autonomous communities, require the support of this Unit.
Functions
The main crimes that the UCO investigates are:
- Economic crimes, including frauds, counterfeit money and smuggling.
- Drugs trafficking.
- Money laundering.
- Homicides and kidnappings.
- Crimes against the national heritage sites.
- Telematics crimes.
- Crimes against the environment, including trafficking of endangered species.
- Medicaments trafficking.
- Smuggling of valuable objects.
- Arms trafficking, explosives smuggling and hazardous goods trafficking.
- Human trafficking.
- Vehicles smuggling.
Also, the UCO has the duty to realize investigations ordered by a judge, a court or a prosecutor.
Structure
- Commander of the Unit (a Civil Guard Colonel).
- Department of Technical and Operational Support.
- Department of Criminal Investigation specialized in General Delinquency.
- Department of Criminal Investigation specialized in Economic and Technological Delinquency.
- Department of Criminal Investigation specialized in Drug Trafficking and Smuggling.
- Unit attached to the Anti-Drug Special Attorney's Office.
- Unit attached to the Anti-Corruption Special Attorney's Office.
- Teams Against Organized Crime (ECO), six teams through the country.
Important cases
- February 27, 1994. Release of Maria Àngels Feliu after 492 days kidnapped.
- July 23, 2007. Arrest of Jaime Giménez Arbe (known as "The Loner") in Figueira da Foz, Portugal.
- October 27, 2009. The dismantling of a corruption plot in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, in the so-called "Pretoria Case", in which the mayor of Santa Coloma de Gramanet and other former public officials were arrested.
- October 27, 2014. The dismantling of a corruption plot called "Púnica Case".
- July 18, 2017. The dismantling of a corruption plot in the Royal Spanish Football Federation.