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ISSUE NO. 1729
23 - 29 August 2018
Newspaper in Spain 2017 & 2018
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Tourist boat in hash bust By Christophe De Chaume THE Guardia Civil has arrested five men in connection with the discovery of over 800 kilos of hashish hidden in a tourist boat in Caleta de Velez. Police Operation ‘Sarbo’ has led to the dismantling of a criminal organisation involved in the trafficking of large volumes of the drug into Spain. Investigations began after a tourist vessel was intercepted by the Maritime Rescue Service, which had three crew members on board. Five packages of hashish were immediately discovered, weighing around 177 kilos. However, once it had docked in the port, the boat was thoroughly searched by the Guardia Civil and a secret extra compartment was found. A haul of 15 other packages of hashish were seized, weighing 680 kilos. Further police inquiries and evidence gathering led to the arrest of two other members of the criminal group.
THE main beaches of Torrox have become the first on the Costa del Sol to include no smoking areas. It is an initiative promoted by the local council with the aim of promoting healthy living among locals and tourists. Mayor Oscar Medina announced that a 300-metre strip will be marked between the beaches of Ferrara, El Morche and El Peñoncillo. Mr Medina said it was important for families who don’t smoke to have the option to be in an area that is free of the effects of it, which until now had
CLAMMING UP: The ban is devastating revenues for fishermen.
Shell shock for fishermen
HASH HEIST: Guardia Civil officers search the vessel. During their investigations the Guardia Civil established that the organisation was very professionally structured. Each member of the group had a specific role to play including the logistics of their activities, transport procurement and planning while avoiding detection, and handling of the merchandise once it had arrived in Spain.
A total of 857 kilos of hashish were seized in the raid, along with the boat used to transport it, an off-road vehicle, GPS equipment and three mobile phones. The operation is part of a concerted attempt by the Andalucian Guardia Civil to clamp down on drug trafficking, particularly in the area of the Strait.
No smoke without fire
there will be no fines for smoking in the marked out areas, but that beachgoers are welcome to report the act if they see it. “These non-smoking areas will improve the image of Torrox for the thousands of tourists who visit every year.”
been impossible. Councillor for Beaches, Sandra Extremera, assured that
AXARQUIA’S fishermen are suffering severe financial losses following the decision by the regional government of Andalucia to ban the collection of shellfish since July 26. The ban was introduced following the discovery of high levels of dangerous toxins in the shellfish. However, 126 fishing boats would normally be operating in the waters, employing around 400 people, and they are becoming increasingly desperate. The situation has caused losses of €10,000 per boat so far, a total of about €1.3 million, according to Mari Carmen Navas, President of the Caleta de Velez Fishermen’s Association. “The summer months represent between 30 and 40 per cent of our turnover for the
year,” said Mr Navas. “We ask the authorities to allocate some aid as happened in 2014 when a similar ban occurred due to toxins.” Axarquia is normally the leading port for shellfishing in the province, followed by Fuengirola, Marbella and Estepona. The ban includes muscles, clams and other shellfish and Mr Navas had a recent meeting with the Delegate of the Ministry for Fisheries to discuss the fishermen’s concerns. However, he was informed that the ban would be staying in place for at least two more weeks, due to the continuing high levels of toxins. The regional government is monitoring the situation and considering the fishermen’s request for financial compensation.