National Police seize three hand grenades and ammunition from a home in Telde

National Police officers from the TEDAX-NRBQ unit of the Jefatura Superior de Policía de Canarias seized three hand grenades and various ammunition after they were found at a property in the Gran Canaria municipality of Telde. Specialists removed the material following established protocols for this type of operation; it will be studied before a decision is made on possible destruction.

A call to the CIMACC centre

According to information released by the National Police, the operation took place on 31 July after the CIMACC (Centro Inteligente de Mando, Comunicación y Control) received an alert at around 12:00. The call reported the discovery of several explosive devices at a property in the municipality, prompting the immediate deployment of explosives disposal specialists.

On arrival, officers made first contact with the incident commander and with the property owner, who explained the circumstances in which the items had been found.

The owner's account

According to the owner, the grenades and metal cartridge cases of various calibres appeared while he was carrying out cleaning work in a cave adjoining the property, which he had acquired recently. He also noted that inside the cavity there is a small concealed compartment, and he believes the material could date from the era of the Spanish Civil War.

However, sources consulted agree that it will be the technical analysis carried out by specialists that determines the age and characteristics of the seized items.

The TEDAX response

After inspecting the area and confirming that the necessary safety conditions were in place to intervene without putting residents or officers at risk, the TEDAX team secured three hand grenades and collected ammunition of various calibres, which showed an advanced state of deterioration due to the passage of time.

Once the devices had been made safe, the specialists applied the specific procedures of the TEDAX-NRBQ unit, which is responsible for neutralising explosives and handling incidents involving nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical hazards. The items were removed from the site and transported under safe conditions for technical study. If experts determine it necessary, they will subsequently be destroyed in a controlled manner, in accordance with the protocol for this type of material.

The operation, according to the National Police, eliminated a potential risk to the occupants of the property and the surrounding area, since even old explosives can retain part of their activation capacity.

Safety advice for such discoveries

In connection with this operation, the National Police stresses that any explosive device or ammunition — however deteriorated or apparently old — may still be dangerous. For this reason, they recommend a series of basic safety guidelines when such a find is made:

• Do not handle, move or strike the object.
• Move away from the area and prevent others from approaching.
• Do not attempt to transport it yourself or place it in a vehicle or building.
• Contact the National Police immediately on 091, providing the exact location of the find.
• Wait for specialists to arrive and follow their instructions at all times.

Promptly reporting a find and observing these safety measures are essential, the National Police emphasises, to prevent accidents and allow the TEDAX-NRBQ team to carry out a safe intervention.