Spain's ruling Socialists defeated in Catalonia

AFP: Spain's ruling Socialists defeated in Catalonia: "Voters hammered Spain's ruling Socialists over a biting economic crisis Sunday, turfing them from power in Catalonia in a bad omen for national elections scheduled for 2012.
The result was a blow to the central government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, battling market fears Spain could follow Greece and Ireland in seeking a humiliating EU bailout.
With 99.9 percent of ballots tallied, Catalans gave 62 seats to a moderate nationalist party, the Convergence and Union, six short of an outright majority in the 135-seat parliament, and just 28 to the Catalan Socialist Party.
It is the worst result in the 32-year history of the Catalan Socialist Party, which has ruled the wealthy northeastern region since 2003.
After the results were announced Jose Montilla announced that he would step down as the head of the party.
'Catalans have voted for change. This could be the beginning of a change that will come to the rest of Spain,' said the secretary general of the conservative Popular Party, the main opposition party at the national level."

Moroccans march against Spanish political party

Moroccans march against Spanish political party: "Hundreds of thousands of Moroccans demonstrated Sunday against a Spanish political party's criticism of their country's raid on a protest camp in Western Sahara.
Some protesters carried red and green Moroccan flags or photographs of King Mohammed VI. They chanted slogans attacking Spain's conservative opposition Popular Party, which has strongly criticized Morocco's role in recent events in the disputed Western Sahara.
The official Moroccan news agency, MAP, said nearly 3 million people took part, a claim that appeared inflated."

Couple who face losing their house in Britain to a Spanish bank have warned of the dangers of falling behind in mortgage payments on holiday homes abroad.

A couple who face losing their house in Britain to a Spanish bank have warned of the dangers of falling behind in mortgage payments on holiday homes abroad.
In an alarming development for the many thousands of Britons who have bought properties in Spain, a bank in Marbella is using EU law to force Carol and Ian Chatterton out of their £300,000 cottage in Wiltshire.
The couple – who are both NHS paramedics and have two daughters aged 12 and 14 – could be forced to sell up to pay back a mortgage on an apartment in Spain, following a hearing due to take place on Tuesday.

The bank is using a European Enforcement Order (EEO) to take control of the Chattertons’ three-bedroom home near Chippenham, where they have lived for 20 years

.
The first the couple knew of the bank’s move against their home was when an interim charging order – a first step towards a possible forced sale – was posted to them by a county court.
They have been told they cannot appeal against the order in the UK. European law allows them to challenge it only in a Spanish court, which they cannot afford to do.
‘We’re devastated,’ said Carol, 48. ‘There are thousands more Britons in our position. This is a time bomb waiting to go off. I can see the suicide rate going up as a result. It will have massive repercussions.’
In 2004, Carol and husband Ian, 50, decided to buy an apartment in Duquesa, halfway between Marbella and Gibraltar, and later took out a mortgage of £145,000 with Banco de Sabadell.
When repayments became difficult last year, they offered to give the apartment to the bank, but it refused to accept – and instead launched a bid to seize their British home.
In October, Banco de Sabadell obtained the EEO from a notary in Spain. It required the county court at Trowbridge to impose an interim order against the Chattertons’ home.
On Tuesday, the county court is due to make the charge on their property absolute, after which the bank may force the sale at any time.
The Halifax holds the mortgage on the cottage, which stands at £250,000, and would agree to the forced sale as long as it got its money back. Banco de Sabadell would then take the remainder. The Spanish bank could also wait to sell until the cottage’s value rose.
‘How can we live like that, with that threat hanging over us?’ Carol said.
An EEO is meant to be used for uncontested claims in civil cases across EU borders, but evidence has emerged that Spanish officials have stretched the meaning of ‘uncontested’ to allow banks to fast-track claims on UK property.
Yesterday the UK Ministry of Justice insisted the ‘originating authority’ in Spain must certify that the defendant has agreed to the claim or had the opportunity to object to the EEO.
But in Spanish law, a buyer taking out a mortgage gives up the right to contest the debt, and this is taken as evidence of agreeing to the claim.
A spokesman for Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner for Justice, confirmed there was no obligation to notify debtors. He added that ‘in principle, no appeal is possible’ against the issuing of an EEO.
Wiltshire MEP Ashley Fox said: ‘To me this is against the laws of natural justice. I shall be writing to the Commission to ask that they investigate.’


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333710/Spanish-bank-bids-seize-couples-UK-home-miss-payments-holiday-flat.html#ixzz16cXgX6ZX

Death of a British man found dead floating in Puerto Banus waters Wednesday.

Police are investigating the death of a British man found dead floating in Puerto Banus waters Wednesday.
The discovery was made at midnight on Wednesday when a group of people found the dead body floating next to a boat in the Puerto Banus marina.
The people alerted emergency services, who rescued the body. The man was fully clothed.
Marbella’s police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of death, although initial assumptions point to an accident.

1,600 Elche palms destroyed because of Red Palm Weevil

1,600 Elche palms destroyed because of Red Palm Weevil: "The threat of the Red Palm Weevil has forced the destruction of 1,600 palm trees in Elche this year. The regional government has admitted that the problem is ‘complex’ and the possibility that the expansion of the problem could be ‘explosive’.

Manuel Laínez, General Director of Agro Alimentary Research and Technology in the Valencia Generalitat, has been meeting in Elche with local palmeros to discuss the problem. He said that while 1,600 trees seems a very high number, in reality it is a very small part of those historic palms in the town.

He said the Palmeral can be defended, and the plague controlled, but he admitted although progress was good, he would like the situation to be much more satisfactory."

Jobs being lost in Costa del Sol hotels

Jobs being lost in Costa del Sol hotels: "598 jobs have been lost in Costa del Sol hotels this year, which amounts to 4.9% of the total. The number comes from the CCOO union and is down on the 2,217 jobs lost in 2008.

The lower number of job losses is in line with a smaller reduction in the number of overnight stays recorded.

78% of all the hotel jobs in Andalucía are on the Costa del Sol, but this year has seen four 4 and 5 star hotels closing, with another four 5 star establishments applying for bankruptcy protection.

In addition more than 1,500 workers in the sector are only employed for part of the year with an increasing number of hotels closing in the low season."

Santa María Green Hills, in Las Chapas, and El Palmeral in Nueva Andalucía.

Marbella Town Hall has, this Tuesday, given the go-ahead to regularise more than 200 properties which were built illegally during the time the GIL Party was in power in the town. It affects two developments of a total of 225 houses, which are now made legal under Marbella’s new local development plan, the PGOU, and the compensations system set out under the plan.

The Town Hall gave the names of the urbanisations concerned in a press release on Tuesday as Santa María Green Hills, in Las Chapas, and El Palmeral in Nueva Andalucía.

In the first case, the developer’s compensation to the Town Hall for exceeding the ‘buildable’ area is payment of more than half a million €, plus carrying out improvements to the road which passes in front of the urbanisation. The agreement for the developer of El Palmeral, in addition to monetary compensation, is ceding an area of land to be used for social housing and another area for a park. Responsibility for creating the park will fall to the development company itself.

It’s understood the Town Hall hopes to regularise the situation of 1,000 of the 16,500 properties to be made legal under the PGOU before the end of this year.

National Court to become first paperless tribunal in Spain

National Court to become first paperless tribunal in Spain: "The justice minister, Francisco Caamaño, last night ceremonially digitized court page nº 4,000,000 of the National Court (Audiencia Nacional), as part of the process to implement the 'paperless justice' that began last September and is scheduled for completion in March 2011. When the process is complete, it will convert the National Court into the first paperless court in Spain, with all files being on computer.
Caamaño, along with President of the Audiencia Nacional, Ángel Juanes, visited the premises of this court in Calle Prim, Madrid, which also houses the office were workers have been installed, working 24 hours a day in three shifts of eight hours since two months ago.
'There's nothing like seeing things on site,' assured the minister, who, speaking to reporters, considered that this project will 'promote the relationship between citizens and the Administration of Justice' and will 'bring the court system into the 21st century'."

Distressed property listings tipped to rise in Q4-RICS | Reuters

Distressed property listings tipped to rise in Q4-RICS | Reuters: "number of distressed property assets being sold will surge in the fourth quarter as banks take a tougher line on failing loans, particularly in debt-troubled Ireland, Spain and Portugal, a survey showed on Monday.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors survey found the top five countries in which fourth-quarter distressed properties sales would likely increase also included the United States and the UK, which were, respectively, ranked second and fourth.
'With the commercial property market recovery faltering across several countries in the third quarter there is an expectation that banks might be becoming less lenient in extending terms for real estate loans,' Oliver Gilmartin, RICS senior economist, said in a statement."

Cardiff City's Soul Crew, Bolton Wanderers' Cuckoo Boys and Luton Town's Men In Gear Is a storm brewing in Europe?

Is a storm brewing in Europe? - Al Jazeera English: "On platform one at Bolton train station in England a mob of about 100 men punch the air in unison as a chant - 'Muslim bombers, off our streets!'' - goes up. Their voices echo loudly, and as more men suddenly appear, startled passengers move aside. The protesters wave St George's Cross flags - the red and white English national emblem - and raise placards. Some wear balaclavas, others black-hooded tops. There is an air of menace.
These are some of the most violent football hooligans in Britain and today they have joined in an unprecedented show of strength. Standing shoulder to shoulder are notorious gangs such as Cardiff City's Soul Crew, Bolton Wanderers' Cuckoo Boys and Luton Town's Men In Gear: a remarkable gathering given that on a match day these men would be fighting each other. But today they are not here for football; it is politics that has drawn them. Their destination is Manchester to support a protest by the newly formed English Defence League.
The police are here in force, too. 'Take that mask off,' barks a sergeant to one young man. The man does so immediately but retorts: 'Why are they allowed to wear burqas in public but we're not allowed to cover our faces?' The sergeant snaps back: ''Just do what you're told.'

A man with a West Country accent standing next to me says: 'It's always the fxxxxx' same these days. One rule for them and another for us. I'm sick of this fxxxxx' country.' He draws on a cigarette before flicking it to the ground in disgust. He starts to complain again, but when the public address system announces the arrival of the train to Manchester Piccadilly, he raises his hands above his head and starts another football favourite: 'Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves ...'"

Gibraltar’s online gambling industry again the target of Spanish mayor

Gibraltar’s online gambling industry again the target of Spanish mayor: "Only a couple of months back we saw how the mayor of an insignificant city in southern Spain was causing quite the stir. Fair enough, Alejandro Sanchez needs voters to back his campaign to be re-elected mayor of La Linea but I’m not sure that the unemployed masses – at around 1 in 6 at the last check – need to hear him continually hitting out at Gibraltar’s online gambling industry.
The only conclusion we can draw from this is that he genuinely has nothing left to bargain with. Little surprise then…he’s having another go at the online gambling industry.
An article in the Gibraltar Chronicle over the weekend identified that many of the 37 online gambling firms operating in Spain are run offshore in territories such as Malta and Gibraltar. Sanchez still expects profits from the Gibraltar-based companies though. In reference to the expansion after the signing of the Cordoba agreement, Sanchez said: “the technology which allows this business to prosper is concentrated and distributed through La Linea territory.”"

Michael ‘Sick Mick’ Farrell could be freed by Spanish authorities along with 12 others after it emrged ectasy pills were fake - Liverpool Local News - News - Liverpool Echo

Michael ‘Sick Mick’ Farrell could be freed by Spanish authorities along with 12 others after it emrged ectasy pills were fake - Liverpool Local News - News - Liverpool Echo: "Michael Farrell, 22, was wanted for questioning by Merseyside Police after a string of shootings across north Liverpool.
Farrell, also known as “Sick Mick”, was arrested on September 27 in Torrevieja, near Alicante, when the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the paramilitary Civil Guard targeted a 12 strong gang of Liverpool men and women suspected of supplying designer drugs to clubbers on the Costa Blanca and Ibiza.
But he and the gang could now be freed by the Spanish authorities after it emerged the 53,000 ecstasy pills they were allegedly going to sell were made of caffeine.
The pills had been hidden in false compartments in a vehicle which the gang were allegedly planning to take by ferry from Denia, on the Costa Blanca, to Ibiza."

FIFA Clear Spain-Portugal And Qatar Of Vote Trading In World Cup Bids | Sports | Peacefmonline.com

FIFA Clear Spain-Portugal And Qatar Of Vote Trading In World Cup Bids | Sports | Peacefmonline.com: "FIFA have dismissed allegations of vote-trading between Spain-Portugal and Qatar.

The Iberian nations have submitted a joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup, while the Middle Eastern country are one of the candidates to host the 2022 tournament.

Some newspapers had suggested that the nations had unlawfully agreed to exchange votes, but FIFA put those fears to rest by claiming their investigation revealed no evidence of any wrongdoing."

European Central Bank tightens screw on Ireland, Portugal and Spain - Telegraph

European Central Bank tightens screw on Ireland, Portugal and Spain - Telegraph: "The European Central Bank (ECB) has issued a clear warning that it will press ahead with plans to raise interest rates and withdraw lending support for banks despite the eurozone debt crisis, even if this risks pushing Ireland, Portugal and Spain into deeper trouble."

Union Announces Strike at the Luxury Marbella Club Hotel | SpanishNews.es

Union Announces Strike at the Luxury Marbella Club Hotel | SpanishNews.es: "CCOO union has called for a six-day strike at the luxury Marbella Club hotel for the dismissal of 18 workers.
These employees have already appealed to the Labor Court demanding the annulment of the dismissals.
The strikes are planned for the 27th of November, 6th, 24th, 25th and 31st Decemeber and 1st January.
All 280 hotel employees have been called upon to join the strike.
The provincial secretary of Commerce, Catering and Tourism CCOO, Lola Villalba, said at a news conference that the union will continue to mobilize against “unscrupulous employers seeking to take advantage of the disastrous labor reform approved by the Zapatero government.”"

The C. de Salamanca car dealership in Marbella has confirmed the sale of the most expensive car ever to be sold in Spain.

It’s the latest model from the British firm, Aston Martin, which sells at 1.35 million € before tax, about 1.8 million € with tax.
The dealership has not named the purchaser, but has described him as a successful foreign businessman, middle aged, and a car fan. He spends a great deal of time in Marbella, and the dealer says has taken five months to decide on the purchase, paying a 400,000 € deposit.

The ONE-77 will be delivered in March next year in a deal which the dealership did directly with the Aston Market factory in Gaydon, Warwickshire, U.K. The client has been to the factory to request the personalisation’s of the vehicle which will come in a blue silver and with the steering wheel on the left for European driving.

Aston Martin are to make only 77 cars of the model which boasts an engine with 12 cylinders and 760 horsepower.

José Carlos de Salamanca, the manager of the Marbella dealership, says that puts it on a par with a Formula One car from just a few years ago.

The Civil Guard have intercepted more than three tons of cannabis resin in two separate operations which took place on the western coast of Málaga

The Civil Guard have intercepted more than three tons of cannabis resin in two separate operations which took place on the western coast of Málaga province in recent days. The first haul was on Sunday evening at the marina in Marbella from a yacht which had been under surveillance since the previous day. Two people were taken into custody on that occasion, F.J.A.S. and A.G.M., neither of whose nationalities has been revealed in reports.

The second was in the early hours of Tuesday when a 38 year old Spaniard, E.H.M., was arrested as he was trying to unload his cargo of cannabis onto a van waiting on shore. His boat is understood from the EFE news agency to have been followed to shore, to an area between the Playas del Padrón y de Velerín, by Civil Guard patrol boats.

National Police have arrested four people for the theft of items of incalculable value which had been pillaged from first and fourth century tombs in

National Police have arrested four people for the theft of items of incalculable value which had been pillaged from first and fourth century tombs in Córdoba.

Some of them come from the necropolis recovered in a private estate in the town of Aguilar de la Frontera, Córdoba, which came to light after the floods of last August. At the time the Junta de Andalucía decided to cover up the site, to better conserve the remains and in an attempt to stop any depredations.

El Mundo reports that the pieces which have now been recovered had been taken from the Provincial Cultural Delegation warehouses belonging to the Junta de Andalucía, where they were being kept while a decision on their future was being taken.

Among those arrested is a Belgian-Lebanese man, who took the base of a column from the Medina Azahara in Córdoba, dating from the Omeya Caliphate out of the country, to then sell it at Christie’s auction house in London for some 150,000 €. It was the sale of that item which led the police to start their investigations. The man was located with the help of Interpol and arrested in Marbella on charges of contraband.

The man who sold the base to the Belgian man, an antique dealer in Ronda, has also been arrested. The dealer knew people who could supply such valuable items.

Other items now recovered include a late Roman mosaic, Neolithic axes, Roman projectiles, an Oniokoe, and more than 300 Arab and Roman coins taken from the necropolis in Aguilar de la Frontera.

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Morocco's Gov. Decries Racist and Hateful Reporting by Elite Media in Spain

Morocco's Gov. Decries Racist and Hateful Reporting by Elite Media in Spain: "Morocco’s government yesterday denounced what it described as an 'irresponsible attitude of several Spanish media' in its coverage of the Western Sahara conflict.
In a statement read by the Moroccan Government Spokesman, that accused Spanish reporters of routinely using deceptive procedures, techniques that are unethical, unprofessional and dishonest'. Morocco considers the purpose of this media campaign is to 'seriously manipulate the public opinion in Spain, and to exacerbate the public feeling against Morocco' in what he calls 'a real drift of hateful and racist commentary and reporting'"

Protest at home of ex-Anglo chief - The Irish Times - Mon, Nov 15, 2010

Protest at home of ex-Anglo chief - The Irish Times - Mon, Nov 15, 2010: "demonstration was themed by organisers as the “jail the bankers” march. They carried placards that read, “make the wealthy pay” and chanted “seize the assets of the wealthy”. Demonstrators stopped outside Mr FitzPatrick’s home in Greystones for about 10 minutes.
They whistled and chanted outside the house, which was protected by gardaí who stood between protesters and the gates of the property. There was no recognition of the protest from any person within the property.
The demonstrators returned to the town centre where a number of speakers addressed them including James O’Toole of the Right to Work campaign.
He said: “The assets of people who caused the current financial difficulties should be seized by Nama. The people accused of causing the present problems are still in possession of personal property portfolios.”
Mr FitzPatrick and his wife are joint owners of their family home, as well as two investment properties, and apartments in Smithfield and Killiney in Dublin and in Marbella, Spain, he said."

2,230 pets suffered a 'slow and painful death'

2,230 pets suffered a 'slow and painful death': "More information on the allegations made against the Parque Animal animal refuge in Torremolinos where the Director, Carmen Marín , and manager F.B.G. have now been charged with fraud an ill-treatment.

SEPRONA, the Environmental wing of the Guardia Civil, say that 2,230 pets suffered a ‘slow and painful death’ because the owners of the centre lowered the dose of the euthanasia medicine ‘to save costs’. The deaths occurred ‘without any type of veterinary control’ in a ‘continuous, massive, deliberate and unjustified’ way."

Antonio Banderas announces new film in English

Antonio Banderas announces new film in English: "Speaking at the Sevilla European Film Festival, where he was being presented with the RTVE career award, Málaga actor and director, Antonio Banderas, has announced plans for his next film.

He said that it will be shot in English, in Málaga, and using Andalucian actors.

The story is about a Colonel from the Spanish army who is suffering post traumatic stress disorder and the extraordinary situations he finds himself in.

Banderas said that he had decided to film in English ‘for market reasons’, and that it was his first project not to be based on a book, but on one of his own original ideas. One of the screenwriter from the series ‘Blood Brothers’ has been collaborating on the project which is provisionally titled ‘Solo’."

doctor worked at two NHS hospitals while waiting to stand trial for killing a patient in Spain

The Press Association: NHS doctor was on trial for murder: "doctor worked at two NHS hospitals while waiting to stand trial for killing a patient in Spain, it has been revealed.
Marcos Hourmann, 51, originally from Argentina, was able to continue working as a surgeon in the UK even after being found guilty of killing a patient in Spain.
He even went on to work as a police surgeon in the UK, reportedly earning £10,000 a month, despite his conviction in Spain for manslaughter.
Hourmann was able to flout the rules in the UK and lead a double life because of lax European laws. European countries have no legal obligation to alert their neighbours when medical staff receive convictions."

Outraged villagers protest over open-air sex at naturist beach | Life and style | The Observer

Outraged villagers protest over open-air sex at naturist beach | Life and style | The Observer: "Europe's largest nudist colony has a more prudish message for over-enthusiastic visitors who are upsetting the natural order of things: no sex, please, we're naturists.
According to unhappy locals, 'an explosion of libertarianism' is turning their 40-year-old resort into the 'European capital of debauchery' and an 'open-air brothel'. Their anger is directed at an influx of foreign nudists with, they claim, only one thing on their minds. The newcomers, they say, are more interested in orgies and naked exhibitionism.
Among the worst culprits, say villagers, whose numbers go from 300 in winter to 40,000 in the high season, are Italians. Local naturists, including many grandparents, said they were 'shocked' by the sight of couples copulating in public."

Euro Weekly News | Malaga prostitutes propose solutions to ban | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain

Euro Weekly News | Malaga prostitutes propose solutions to ban | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain: "PROSTITUTES who work on the Guadalhorce Industrial Estate in Malaga have made several proposals to the town hall regarding new municipal laws banning street prostitution. The representatives are a Romanian, a Latina and an African who inform women who originate from the same areas as them regarding laws and fines.
They have also joined the talks in an attempt to avoid fines and continue to practice prostitution without causing problems for businesses in the area, and therefore are requesting a well-lit, patrolled and safe area where they can continue their activity.
In return, they promise to work only at night and at least 200 metres from urban areas and schools, as well as cleaning up the area and not starting bonfires to keep warm.
Their proposals will now be studied by the town hall.
Fines of up to €1,500 for practicing, requesting or offering sex in residential or business areas will be fined from this month in Malaga."

British pubs raided on Costa del Sol - Telegraph

British pubs raided on Costa del Sol - Telegraph: "Operation Cardhu targeted pubs and bars in the resorts of Marbella, Fuengirola, Calahonda, Torremolinos, Benalmadena and La Cala. Police arrested four expats with outstanding warrants and a pub owner who was allegedly selling drugs from his premises.
During the raid, hundreds of British expats and holidaymakers were ordered to identify themselves to officers.
Most of the detained Brits were wanted over drugs offences.
'We know there are still many British fugitives hiding out in the Costa del Sol,' a police source said.
'We want those fugitives to know they are not safe from justice here and they will be tracked down and caught.'
The south coast of Spain earned the nickname Costa del Crime in the early 1980s"

Students of visiting teachers from Spain have outperformed their peers in reading and math in three of the last four years

Students of visiting teachers from Spain have outperformed their peers in reading and math in three of the last four years in Dallas ISD, according to information from the district that is likely to be discussed by the school board tomorrow.

The information is included with a proposal for DISD to continue its participation in the Visiting Teachers from Spain program. The issue could get contentious, as some trustees in April voiced concern about hiring in Spain instead of broadening efforts to hire bilingual teachers in the U.S. — and they sought proof that the Spain teachers have improved student achievement. Also, last time this came up, back in April, administrators were criticized for moving ahead with the program without trustee approval.

Well, it seems that DISD is using its Classroom Effective Indices (CEI) to measure the teachers' performance. The CEI is a system designed to measure how well teachers are contributing to their students' learning over the course of a year. The district average for CEIs is 50.

villains of British origin meeting in Marbella, Mijas, Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Benalmadena.

first to suffer from police harassment have been the villains of British origin. In just five days, agents specializing in organized crime have traced their points meeting in Marbella, Mijas, Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Benalmadena. 101 identifications have been made, 14 local inspections made, mostly in pubs or bars, and five people arrested.

Those detained include two fugitives sought for drug trafficking in their countries, one wanted by Spanish authorities, and two others who allegedly were involved in selling small quantities of drugs. Such is the case of the waiter and the owner of a pub in Benalmadena. During the inspection of the premises, the officers involved found various doses of marijuana and hashish hidden behind the bar and in the garbage. In addition to arresting them, Police have recommended suspending the trading license of the establishment.

In the opertion are collaborating agents specializing in the fight against drug trafficking and the Special Response Group Organized Crime (Greco), as well as liasions from the British police posted Spain for this operation. "We want to draw the attention of the bad guys who think that the Costa del Sol is the perfect hideaway and remind them that we are monitoring them closely" said a police commander.

The operation, named Cardhu, has been ongoing since the 24th October. Although the first phase was aimed specifically at British criminals, the operation is not over. Forthcoming operations focus on meeting places for fugitives from other countries, police said.


The fact that the campaign has begun by targetting British citizens is significant. 25% of registered foreigners in the area are from the UK, according to data from 2009 - and, recently, violent incidents involving them are on the up, mainly due to fall outs over the lucrative drugs trade.

The Costa del Sol is also a favorite haunt of Irish criminals, especially those who are quickly becoming drug barons. These criminals are taking center stage in the drug trade and creating infrastructure in Málaga, and establishing contact with Moroccan traffickers.

Between 2008 and 2009, three drug lords died in settling of scores. The gangs have hired people in the Costa del Sol, and when they need to settle scores, they do so in the same area. Police cited the example of the death on 21 April, of a 32 year old British man gunned down in his apartment in Benalmadena following an abortive attempt to "rip off" his local drugs baron