The Guardia Civil has arrested 11 people and is investigating another five in Murcia for being part of a network that approved fraudulent ITV inspections for vehicles with technical defects, one of which was involved in an accident that caused the death of an 11-month-old baby.
The operation, called Mojitarevealed that this network was fraudulently approving vehicles in poor condition after certifying non-existent repairs. According to a statement from the Guardia Civil, these practices represented a serious risk to road safety.
Arrested and investigated
Among those involved are the technical director, inspectors, administrative staff of the ITV station under investigation, workshop managers and regular customers. The crimes they are charged with include false documentation, crimes against road safety, membership of a criminal group and continuous corruption among private individuals.
Investigation and irregular practices
The operation began at the beginning of last year when the Guardia Civil detected irregularities in vehicle inspections at an ITV station. Investigations revealed a large number of fraudulent inspections, especially in vehicles more than 20 years old, which were declared fit without complying with the minimum safety requirements. The agents found that in some cases the inspections were carried out in a matter of seconds, without checking essential elements such as seat belts or tires, and by manipulating vehicles during the inspection process.
Fatal accident linked to the plot
One of the most serious cases took place last July on the A-33 highway, where an 11-month-old baby died in an accident caused by the bursting of a defective tire of a vehicle approved by the station under investigation weeks earlier. According to the Road Safety Investigation Unit (UNIS) of the Guardia Civil, technical deficiencies of the vehicle were the origin of the accident.
Serious implications of the plot
Operation Mojita, carried out by the Traffic Sector of the Civil Guard of Murcia, highlights the risks that these fraudulent practices represent for road safety and underlines the need for strict controls at ITV stations.
