The Ertzaintza has reported 142 seizures for weapons and drug violations

The Ertzaintza, the Basque police force, has notified 142 sanctioning resolutions through an announcement published in issue number 162 of the Official Gazette of the Basque Country (BOPV) on August 26, 2026. These resolutions are fines imposed for infringements of the Organic Law on the Protection of Citizen Security (Organic Law 4/2015, of March 30) regarding the possession and consumption of weapons and drugs, with amounts ranging between 100 and 3,000 euros, along with the seizure of the weapon or drug.

The announcement was published by the Department of Security to notify the resolutions adopted by the Director of the Ertzaintza, and was signed by Director Aitor Landa Zarraga in Erandio on August 19, 2026. Since personal notification was unsuccessful, the announcement has been published in accordance with Article 44 of Law 39/2015 (Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations, of October 1). The files are available at the Security Coordination Directorate of Erandio (Larrauri Mendotxe Bidea, 18).

Fine amounts and types of infringements

Fines range from 100 to 3,000 euros, depending on the infringement. Infringements regarding weapon possession (Article 36.10) carry the highest fines and the seizure of the weapon; in the case of drugs (Article 36.16), a fine and the seizure of the drug are imposed. Article 36.06 (consumption) establishes fines between 300 and 1,200 euros, and Article 37.04 establishes fines between 100 and 300 euros.

• Article 36.10 (weapons): 28 resolutions, with weapon seizure
• Article 36.16 (drugs): 18 resolutions, with drug seizure
• Article 36.06 (consumption): 65 resolutions
• Article 37.04: 30 resolutions
• Article 36.03: one resolution

Appeal and payment

Interested parties have a period of one month to file an administrative appeal (recurso de alzada) before the Vice Minister of Security, starting from the day following the publication of the announcement. Once that month has passed, they have 15 business days to pay the fine (Article 53 of the LOPSC). Payment can be made through the Basque Government’s payment gateway (euskadi.net/mipago) or at collaborating financial institutions, after obtaining the corresponding payment slip.

Consequences of non-payment and minors

If the fine is not paid within the voluntary period, the enforcement procedure (apremio) will be used against the assets of the interested party (Article 101.1 of Law 39/2015). Fines imposed on minors under Article 36.16 may be suspended if they undergo treatment or rehabilitation activities, according to the fifth additional provision of the law; this must be notified to the administration within 15 business days.

This announcement affects hundreds of people across the Basque Country and demonstrates that the Ertzaintza strictly monitors compliance with the security law. In addition to fines, the seizure of weapons and drugs is imposed, and non-payment may lead to execution against assets; therefore, interested parties must strictly adhere to the deadlines.

Source: Official Gazette of the Basque Country, number 162, August 26, 2026, section I (announcements), page 5 (official reference: 2026/3706).