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Nineteen endangered turtles have been recovered in Alicante by police operations in 135 countries

As part of Operation Thunder, which has been conducted in 135 countries in cooperation with groups and entities like the World Customs Organisation, the Guardia Civil’s Nature Protection Service (Seprona) has detained 13 individuals on suspicion of being involved in the illegal trafficking of protected species in Spain.

According to Seprona, the programme is one of the biggest worldwide efforts to combat environmental crimes, having recovered over 20,000 wildlife species in recent years. nineteen endangered turtles have been saved in Alicante.

The cyber patrol was coordinated by Spanish agents with help from specialised NGOs and Europol, and included environmental crime experts from Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom.

In Spain

The Guardia Civil in Spain has conducted 438 inspections, found 193 administrative and 11 criminal infractions, arrested and investigated 13 individuals, and seized 50 inert pieces, including ivory, tusks, paws, and skins, as well as 192 live specimens.

In his presentation of the investigations’ primary findings, Commander Ramón González Gallego noted that “in recent years we have detected a certain interest in venomous animals such as snakes,” and that “the European Union is a transit point, but also a destination and origin point for species trafficking,” particularly with regard to birds and reptiles.

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Even if “some people are unaware that they are committing a crime,” the reality is that “we are increasingly seeing a more serious form of organised crime, which involves breeding and harvesting species for the purpose of generating profit.”

González claims that the financial gains from this kind of illicit commerce “vary depending on the sources consulted, but internationally, the range is very wide” and surpass 20 billion euros.

Penalties and violations

Along with one smuggling offence and another animal abuse offence linked to the trafficking of protected species, nearly all of the criminal offences found in Spain were related to document falsification.

The Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Law, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulations, companion animal regulations, and animal health and disease and infection regulations were the most prominent administrative infractions.

According to Commander González, the punishments meted out to criminals in this space “are still low, but they are increasing because they are often associated with other crimes such as document forgery,” and “an increase in penalties is expected in the short term.”

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Additionally, Operation Thunder has made it possible to identify wood shipments from countries like Russia and Burma that are forbidden because of their origin and EU regulations.

Operational Features

Among the noteworthy operations, Seprona reported recovering 32 species from under the seats and in the trunk of a car in Tenerife, including a gallipato, a Mexican orange-legged tarantula, and a tortoise.

During a check of a residence in Telde (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), investigators found 31 other species, including pythons, enormous African snails, California garter snakes, yellow scorpions, and lizards.

18 internationally protected and endangered turtles were rescued by Guardia Civil officers in Alicante and taken to the Santa Faz Wildlife Recovery Centre.

A suitcase carrying 98 birds—both siskins and goldfinches, which are protected nationally—was discovered inside a car in Huelva.

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Costa Blanca

Drugs den and ‘nursery’ dismantled in the same building in Alicante

Police National

The police have dealt a new blow to narcotic trafficking in Alicante. The National Police have demolished a drug sanctuary and an additional residence that served as a “nursery” for narcotics. The city center’s supply source, was located near The Principal Theatre. According to police sources, the operation led to the apprehension of two alleged traffickers, aged 36 and 52. The judge has ordered the remand of the primary suspect in detention.

The anti-drug investigation commenced following the identification of a potential drug retail point in a city residence, from which various narcotics, including cocaine and hashish, were distributed.

In the course of conducting surveillance around the residence under investigation, officers verified that the occupant was engaging in illicit activities within the premises. The occupant used a room in another flat within the same building as a drug depot, storing the majority of the substances to reduce the likelihood of a police raid.

During the operational portion of the investigation, a police operation resulted in the arrest of the primary suspect and the owner of the residence where the narcotics were stored.

Concurrently, a search was conducted, resulting in the seizure of 242 grams of cocaine, 280 grams of hashish, €897 in small bills, and numerous precision scales and instruments for preparing doses.

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The local magistrates’ court in Alicante has brought the primary suspect before it and jailed him following police proceedings. Through this operation, the national police have effectively eliminated a significant drug distribution point that supplies the city centre.


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Costa Blanca

Six arrested at paella event in Alicante

According to a statement from the police headquarters, the National Police conducted a search in the city of Alicante during the university paella event at the Rabasa fairgrounds. The raid resulted in the identification of 97 individuals and the arrest of six.

On Wednesday, April 16th, approximately 19,000 individuals attended the event, which is held during the Easter break.

In addition to the individuals who were identified, officers confiscated 18 vehicles, issued seven penalties for possession of narcotic substances, and apprehended six individuals for a variety of offences, such as robbery with intimidation, vehicle theft, burglary, legal action, and theft.

The operation was coordinated by the Alicante Provincial Police Station and involved officers from the Prevention and Reaction Units, Operational Response Group Units, the Mobile Brigade, the Citizen Service Group, dog handlers, and support officers from the various Brigades and the Northern District Police Station. The operation proceeded without incident as usual. Additionally, officers from the Alicante Local Police took part.

Officers from the Aerial Media Unit used police drones to monitor the event from the air.

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Benidorm will celebrate the 40th ‘Bike Day for All’ on May 4th

The 40th edition of “Bicycle Day for All” will happen on Sunday, May 4th, in collaboration with local clubs Unión Ciclista Benidorm, Club Ciclista Benidorm Beach, and Club Ciclista Sol Benidorm, as well as other sponsors, according to the Benidorm City Council’s Sports Department.

As in previous years, the Foietes Park auditorium will host the rally at 9:30 a.m. Several hundred devotees of these two-wheeled vehicles, whose numbers are increasing annually, will convene. The route will remain consistent with that of previous years, and the event will commence at 10:00 a.m. It will commence in the park and proceed along Jaime I, Armada Española, Vicente Llorca Alós, Paseo de Tamarindos, and Paseo de Tamarindos, where a junction will be established, before returning to the park. The route will be level and approximately 7.2 kilometres long, making it suitable for all types. Nevertheless, the City Council would like to remind all participants that helmets are mandatory for participation in the activity.

The event is timed to coincide with Mother’s Day, making it an ideal opportunity to engage in this activity with the entire family. Javier Jordá, Councillor for Sports, stated that the event is designed to “encourage them to exercise, share great moments with them, and promote the use of bicycles as a healthy and enjoyable form of leisure activity.” Following the event, attendees will participate in a traditional bicycle raffle.


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San Javier Airshow 2025
June 14, 2025 - June 15, 2025    
All Day
The AIRE 25 festival will take place on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June 2025, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Eagle Patrol. On [...]
Events on June 14, 2025
San Javier Airshow 2025
14 Jun 25
Murcia

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