In a coordinated effort to address ongoing issues of illegal street trading, a substantial police contingent comprising agents from the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Badalona and Sant Adrià de Besòs Urban Guard, and the National Police have launched a significant operation.

Early Tuesday morning saw the deployment of over 100 officers under the C-31 viaduct, an area that weekly hosts approximately 300 vendors offering low-quality goods, often sourced from refuse.

The enforcement action, aimed at preventing the establishment of what has been dubbed the 'market of misery,' led to the identification of 117 individuals and the seizure of 2.3 tonnes of merchandise.

Authorities have detained one person due to a pending arrest warrant and detained seven others for violations of immigration law.

In addition, two individuals have received citations for possession of bladed weapons and for disobedience to police orders.

Law enforcement's objective is to maintain a sustained presence every Tuesday to dismantle the illegal market operations and to reclaim public spaces for legitimate use.

However, police commanders concede that the scale of the weekly deployments will vary, as the intensity of the operations may not always be as extensive.

Alfons Sàrrias, head of the Mossos in Badalona, has stated that the approach will be adapted over time in response to the ever-evolving situation, with hopes that a continuous police presence will serve as a deterrent.

Beyond the viaduct, attention will also be directed at other areas of Badalona and Sant Adrià to prevent the relocation of illegal trading activities.

According to Sàrrias, efforts have already expanded to other locations as police pursue fugitives from the market.

Observers have noted that some of those identified during the operation were halted at the entrances of the market.

Nearby, in the plaza and surrounding streets, vendors sought temporary refuge from the cold in local establishments but were ultimately unable to prevent their carts from being confiscated by Badalona's cleaning crews.

Despite lack of incidents during the operations, the market area under the viaduct remained mostly inactive as police arrived before 8 a.m., aided by the discouraging early morning temperatures.

For decades, the 'market of misery' has been a persistent issue, with various law enforcement interventions attempting to curb the sale of unsanitary and illicit goods.

According to police leadership, this latest crackdown represents a decisive effort to permanently dismantle the illegal market and address the associated health hazards.

The head of Mossos in Badalona characterizes this operation as a significant step toward finally resolving a long-standing problem.