Criminal Groups in Tenerife Increasingly Using Pepper Spray as Offensive Weapon

Criminal groups in Tenerife are increasingly using self-defense sprays as offensive weapons to carry out assaults and neutralize victims. Once intended for personal protection, pepper spray is now frequently being used by organized criminals to facilitate robberies and help them escape.

Recent incidents highlight this worrying trend. In San Miguel de Abona, four people—including a minor—stole nearly 1,500 euros from a restaurant after spraying customers on the terrace to prevent them from intervening. Similarly, during a jewelry store robbery in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, attackers used the gas to incapacitate security staff and an employee, both of whom required medical treatment for irritation.

Beyond robberies, these sprays are being used indiscriminately in public spaces. During the recent Carnival festivities in the capital, at least 15 people needed medical help after being exposed to gas in a crowded area. Police believe these incidents are often linked to theft attempts, though the large crowds make it difficult to identify the attackers.

This trend has brought attention to Spain’s strict regulations regarding these devices. By law, only government-approved sprays can be sold, and they must be purchased by adults at authorized gun shops with proper identification. Online sales are strictly prohibited.

However, even when a device is sold legally, it does not prevent it from being used for criminal activity. While the law regulates the sale and technical standards of these sprays, it does not protect those who use them to commit crimes from facing serious legal consequences. As these incidents rise in Tenerife, security forces are now closely monitoring the market, struggling to address a situation where tools meant for safety are being turned into weapons of aggression.