The Guardia Civil has dismantled a drug trafficking network that was operating in multiple municipalities in the Vega Baja region under the pretext of legal cannabis associations. The courts have closed these entities for a period of five years. Between November and March of last year, 17 individuals of eight distinct nationalities were apprehended in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura, and Rojales.

The operation commenced in March 2023, when the Special Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office requested information following the registration of a new cannabis association, according to the Guardia Civil. Simultaneously, there was an uptick in reports concerning drug possession and use in the region, primarily among foreign nationals. The Torrevieja Civil Guard initiated an investigation into numerous cannabis associations that purportedly operated on a non-profit basis but were actually serving as drug sales points for profit, in accordance with this information.

Officers executed the operation in six distinct phases following an investigation that lasted for over a year. Eight investigations were conducted at premises in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura, and Rojales between November 2024 and March 2025. Narcotics, consumables, and cash were discovered.

A small laboratory was discovered in one of the premises, where derivative products, including hashish, oils, and various treats containing the substance, were produced in addition to marijuana cultivation. In total, €4,298.78 in cash, 767 prepared joints, vials with liquid extract, plants, and nearly 10 kilos of marijuana and derivative products were seized.

Following their appearance before a court, the detainees, who were of Spanish, British, Colombian, Russian, and Finnish nationality, were all released with precautionary measures. The detainees were 11 men and six women, with ages ranging from 26 to 69. Additionally, the six associations in question were closed for a period of five years as a consequence of the court ruling.

The Guardia Civil reaffirms its unwavering dedication to the battle against drug trafficking and underscores the significance of public collaboration in the detection of any suspicious activity through official channels.

Torrevieja’s coastline is devoid of beach bars, sun loungers, umbrellas, and recreational activities at the commencement of the peak season. Although it was already anticipated that it was practically unfeasible, the mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, stated at the plenary session conducted at the end of March that the beaches would most likely have beach bar service for the Easter holiday period in April. The government team failed to deliver the concession in time, and once more, a municipal announcement with deadlines was not met.

At the most recent plenary session in April, Pablo Samper, the opposition councillor for Sueña Torrevieja, criticised the mayor for his continued inaccuracy in his forecasts. He also reminded him that the beach bars typically commence operations on March 15th.

Currently in progress

The mayor was not the individual responsible for responding this time. Antonio Vidal, the councillor for Beaches, was the one who did not acknowledge the delay. Instead, he almost reprimanded Samper for recognising, as all beachgoers do, that the city council had indeed failed to arrive on time. This was due to the complex internal processing of the contract itself, as well as the fact that it requires authorisation from the State Administration through the Coastal Authority. He presupposed that the following items had already been awarded: beach bars, sunbeds, umbrellas, lifeguard stations, new restrooms, and maintenance of restrooms and stations. However, this is also incorrect.

Chiringuitos

Beach restaurants are the most sophisticated of these contracts. Several of them may be able to establish themselves on the land by the end of this month or the beginning of June. The local government council announced on Friday that the ten companies that were granted the concession have been proposed. The interested parties are required to pay a fee for the use of the public domain. However, they must now submit the documentation, and the contract will be formalised, provided that an appeal does not impede the process. The installation of the beach bars will commence at that time.

Hammocks, umbrellas, and recreational activities, including roller blades and other equipment, are additional services that have not yet been implemented. Additionally, this service is further behind schedule in its awarding and lacks a contract. During the peak season, the hammocks will be installed in eight distinct locations along La Mata shoreline, occupying a total of 1,150 square meters. Two pedal boat stations and an additional motorised boating station will be located on the shore.

Los Locos beach will feature a 200-square-metre hammock area and a pedal boat area, while Cura beach will feature two 70-square-metre hammock areas and a pedal boat area.

Lastly, Los Náufragos will provide its customary amenities, including a pedal boat rental, a hammock and umbrella area, and a floating water park.

The corporation that is interested in the concessions is required to pay a minimum of €33,000 annually for the use of the public maritime-terrestrial beach domain. The contracting committee has not yet evaluated the proposal subject to evaluation criteria (technical) or the economic criteria, despite the submission of five bids.

Lifeguard huts and new restrooms

The City Council has initiated the installation of the new beach huts and facilities, albeit at a gradual pace. The contract was awarded last year in this instance. Two new units have already been identified: one is located in the “pools” on Juan Aparicio Promenade and the other is located on Avenida de Los Europeos in La Mata. Additionally, this agreement encompasses a distinctive lifeguard tower for La Mata Beach. It is also necessary to conclude another contract, this time in its initial phase, to facilitate the repair of all of these elements and the reopening of the lavatories on the promenades, which have been closed for over a year since their installation. The total cost of this project is over €300,000.

A fire broke out in a wooded area on Avenida de Las Ramblas de Oleza II, on the Orihuela Costa yesterday afternoon, Sunday May 12th, necessitating the evacuation of fifty individuals from their residences.

The Provincial Fire Consortium was notified of a fire that was advancing through the vegetation in the vicinity at 6:01 p.m. Due to its vicinity to residential areas, the fire was designated as a Special Plan against Forest Fires (PEIF) status 1. The Consortium utilised two command headquarters units, one heavy urban fire department, one heavy tanker fire department, two heavy rural fire departments, one non-commissioned officer, one sergeant, two corporals, and eleven firefighters from the Torrevieja and Almoradí fire stations, as well as four forest fire units, to support the ground-based extinguishing efforts.

Local police, regional police, Guardia Civil, forestry officers, Civil Protection, emergency services, and SAMU (Saints and Muse) were also called to the scene, in addition to firefighters from the Consortium and the Generalitat. A firefighter who sustained trauma was attended to by their medical team.

The fire was stabilised by firefighters at 8:40 p.m., but it had an impact on a few residential residences in the development. The conflagration was brought under control at 11:12 p.m. The operation is currently underway.

The Orihuela City Council has reopened the Municipal Sports Centre (CDM) as a shelter for evacuated residents who desire to spend the night outside their homes.