An accident in which a baby died sparks an investigation in which 11 people have been arrested for passing the MOT on dangerous cars in Murcia. Now the Civil Guard is looking for the drivers who have paid the bribes

A ITV station in Murciaanother one in this region, has fallen for committing fraud: Drivers paid to get cars and vehicles in poor condition cleared. It has had terrible consequences: cost a baby his life without having completed the year. A tire burst on the van he was traveling in. He had received the favorable one at this season.

In addition to practically the entire staff of this inspection station, including its director, workshop managers and several regular customers are also being investigated. For now it has been arrested 11 people, although the case is still open.

Bribes and payments to obtain the ITV sticker and continue driving

The so-called ‘operation Mojita‘, whose investigation began at the beginning of 2024, has culminated in the first round of arrests in what is the umpteenth fraud plot at a Murcia station. In this region it is recurrent. In April 2023, it was detected that at the Fuente Álamo station, customers were also paying for access in cars and vehicles that did not deserve it. At the end of 2023, a criminal network was dismantled in this community that would have approved 5,000 cars in poor condition since 2021.

In all these cases there is a common denominator: cars with significant technical deficiencies receive a favorable ITV inspection. Which can put both the occupants of these vehicles and other users in serious danger. The deceased baby is proof of this.

Dangerous cars and vehicles over 20 years old with a green light to drive. In the statement published by the Ministry of the Interior It is not detailed which station is being investigated. But Murcia Opinion points out that it is about the ITV of La Hita, in Molina de Segura according to sources familiar with the case. From the photos on your websitethat’s right: the station is identical to the one published by the Civil Guard, but with the pixelated sign.

During the investigation, agents determined a notable number of fraudulent inspections. Especially in cars and vehicles that were more than 20 years old. The older a vehicle is, if it is not properly maintained, the more likely it is to have technical deficiencies.

The agents found that inspections were carried out in a matter of seconds and without checking essential elements such as seat belts or tires. Vehicles with serious errors were also handled during the inspection.

Los mechanics from this ITV approved these vehicles in the inspection, profiting along the way: they pocketed bites of the customers, who paid to obtain the sticker in exchange. According to sources consulted by Opinión de Murcia, practically the entire staff did so, with the exception of one or two full-fledged people.

Everything, under the approval of the director of the Molina de Segura station, also involved, as well as the administration staff. In this plot they also benefited workshop mechanics of the area: After obtaining the unfavorable result, they were sent to this ITV without repairing the deficiencies.

A second inspection after an unfavorable, or negative, result can be carried out at another station. The only thing you have to pay the fees again. But it pays off for drivers: it’s better than having to buy a new car.

A fraud that has claimed the life of a baby. In July 2023one of these vehicles that obtained the qualification without deserving it had an accident on the A-33 highway near Jumilla. It was a van in which five people were traveling: a father and mother with their three children. One of the tires burst traveling at more than 100 km/h and the driver could not control it: it overturned, several turns of the bell. The youngest of the children, An 11-month-old baby died in the accident.

After investigating the accident, the Civil Guard determined that the cause was its tires in poor condition. Then they discovered that it had passed the inspection a few weeks before at the Hita ITV. Therefore, the driver and father of the family would have paid for the apartment. It has cost him tremendously expensive.

The mechanic who granted the favorable approval to the van will have more to do: he could face pressure penalties, in addition to having to compensate the little boy’s family.

Those already detained, and those still under investigation, who are currently five, face several alleged crimes: document falsification, against road safety, membership in a criminal group and continued corruption between individuals.