Costa Blanca

A blow to an armed gang that extorted cannabis clubs in the Vega Baja

“We are uncompromising; we will pursue the war against anyone. I am aware that you have a wife and children,” that’s one of the mafia-tinged threats sent to the owner of a cannabis club in San Fulgencio. In October, a British-born criminal gang that has been partially dismantled by the Guardia Civil for extorting cannabis smokers’ associations in the Vega Baja to take control of these establishments through death threats and intimidation with firearms robbed the owner of a cannabis club in San Fulgencio.

The gang, which functions similarly to a cartel, ultimately gained control of at least two cannabis smoking associations in the Vega Baja region. The investigation commenced with a burglary that occurred at a club in San Fulgencio last October. The owner was extorted and threatened with death in order for the group to retain half of the profits. Initially, he refrained from filing a complaint due to fear, as they threatened to “blow his head off” if he went to the police.

The Guardia Civil has apprehended two members of this gang since the robbery and is currently in the process of locating at least four additional individuals who were involved in the incident. Three Guardia Civil officers were injured by the suspect, who confined himself in the residence of a foreign couple and offered significant resistance, during the most recent arrest in Orihuela Costa at the beginning of April.

Two submachine guns, which are classified as weapons of war, and over 300 cartridges of varying calibres were present at the residence of the detainee, who was imprisoned and assisted by counsel Francisco Miguel Galiana Botella. The Guardia Civil’s investigation has verified that the 32-year-old man from Liverpool, who was previously known as Sonny James R., changed his name to Peter F. last year. The investigation also revealed that he has a lengthy criminal history in the U.K.

According to the Guardia Civil investigation, 85 amphetamine pills were confiscated from him at a club in Orihuela Costa, which the gang had also taken control of through threats. The court is now charging him with robbery with violence, threats, extortion, illegal possession of weapons, and drug trafficking. Additionally, he was charged with assault and assault and battery of three of the five officers who were required to subdue him, as a result of the kicks and strikes he employed to evade arrest. The Guardia Civil also incorporated the offences of unlawful detention and membership in a criminal organisation into its complaint.

The Organised Crime and Anti-Drug Team (EDOA) of the Organic Judicial Police Unit of the Guardia Civil of Alicante is conducting the investigation in collaboration with the Territorial Judicial Police Team of Guardamar.

In these Vega Baja neighbourhoods, the extortion schemes of this gang have caused widespread social alarm. Witnesses have declined to testify before investigators due to their dread of the members of this criminal group, whom they regard as highly dangerous.

The robbery at a cannabis club in the La Marina neighbourhood of San Fulgencio was carried out on the afternoon of October 23rd, but the Guardia Civil was unaware of the incident until early November, when the wife of the establishment’s owner requested assistance through the Alertcops app. This was due to the fact that the victims did not file a crime report. Her wife reported that Sonny R., a British individual, had abducted her husband and the father of her children. She also stated that two weeks prior, he had requested €25,000 in payment. Additionally, she reported that two armed individuals had entered the garden of her residence in Pilar de la Horadada.

The victims reported the robbery following this contact, and the Guardia Civil established surveillance around the cannabis association, which is led by the complainant’s partner. A British male who had exited the club was apprehended and subsequently identified as one of the six perpetrators of the robbery.

The cannabis, €600 of the takings, and other personal belongings were confiscated after one of the club’s employees was threatened with a pistol during the robbery. The gang informed the owner, who was absent and was contacted by phone, that he was required to pay them €25,000, that they would retain half of the club’s proceeds, and that they would assume control from that day forward. In reality, they seized the keys to the establishment and commenced robbing the club the following day.

In addition to the information provided about Sonny, the complainant also disclosed to the Guardia Civil that he had a meeting with another member of the criminal organisation following the robbery. The individual attempted to coerce him into signing a document that acknowledged that half of the business belonged to the gang that had robbed him, using threats. The six individuals who participated in the robbery accompanied him, but they did not assault him despite his refusal.

After the robbery, the British man who was apprehended in early April had departed Spain for several months. He is associated with two gunshots in the Liverpool area, one of which occurred at his mother’s residence, in the United Kingdom. Upon recognising the Guardia Civil’s presence in Orihuela Costa, he sought refuge in the residence of a married couple. Subsequently, he attempted to escape through the back entrance, but investigators apprehended him.

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Related Topics:Alicante Arrest Assault Children Court Crime Illegal Local Orihuela Pilar de la Horadada Police Robbery Smoking Social Spain Trafficking Violence

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Costa Blanca

Alicante adds 15 temporary firefighters, increasing its total staff to 175

The Fire Prevention, Extinction, and Rescue Service has added new personnel. On Monday, May 5th, the Alicante City Council bolstered the force’s workforce by hiring 15 temporary firefighters to fill vacant positions that have arisen as a result of personnel transfers and retirements. Among these demands are ongoing negotiations between the Human Resources Department and the unions to resolve the improvements requested by over 70% of the firefighters, which are grouped around a platform. These demands encompassed the appointment of individuals to vacant positions.

At present, municipal sources have reported that the basic ranks of the municipal Speis now consist of 145 firefighters, as well as 30 commanding officers, including corporals, sergeants, non-commissioned officers, officers, and the chief of staff, for a total of 175 members. Julio Calero, the Councillor for Security, emphasised that the Speis staff is currently being reinforced, and the vehicle fleet, material resources of the firefighters, and parks and facilities of the corps are being improved. He also said that these additions are in addition to the 47 officers added since 2017, as reported by the same sources.

According to the public notice, Calero stated that Speis will receive two new vehicles this week: a diving van and an FSV model for traffic accident coverage. These vehicles are part of the fleet development and renewal plan, which includes the acquisition of 10 new first-response vehicles. This would also satisfy another of the firefighters’ enquiries.

However, the security councillor emphasises that the city council has allocated nearly 10 million euros to the Speis facilities over the past five years, including investments in vehicles, equipment, and renovations. Additionally, the Speis facilities have secured a maintenance contract for their vehicle fleet for the 2023-2027 period, with a budget of 360,000 euros, a first in the organisation’s history.

Meanwhile, Manuel Villar and Cristina Cutanda, the co-spokespersons for the governing team, said during their weekly public appearance, where they share updates on the agreements approved by the Local Council, that the investigation into the incidents from the March meeting, where a group of firefighters interrupted the session, is still ongoing. They did not say if the legal report has been finished yet. They did not specify whether the issuance of the legal report had already been completed. The report will detail the behaviour of those responsible for the aggression that, according to reports, occurred against one of the Local Police officers who participated in the eviction of the protesters. In this regard, Mayor Luis Barcala stated on Monday that the file was still pending, but he did not specify whether it was an informative file or a disciplinary one. Simultaneously, he acknowledged that negotiations with the unions are ongoing to prevent any incidents that could compromise the security measures for the Nit de la Cremà as a result of a shortage of firefighters. He did not provide an indication of the outcome of that case.

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Costa Blanca

Torrevieja May Fair 2025 will be located in Antonio Soria Park and will have 15 booths

The Torrevieja May Fair 2025 is scheduled to take place from May 15th to 18th at the Antonio Soria Park grounds. The event will feature 15 booths, a large stage, and stalls that can accommodate 600 people. Additionally, there will be children’s shows, dance academy exhibitions, a large rociero parade, and the eagerly anticipated rociero mass on Sunday, which will conclude the fair.

This renowned event, which showcases Andalusian folklore, music, and gastronomy, has been designated a Provincial Tourist Interest and is now firmly established as one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the local festival calendar. Residents and visitors to Torrevieja can participate in a comprehensive program of musical performances, family-friendly activities, equestrian displays, and a fairground atmosphere in the booths that have been erected throughout the grounds for a period of four days.

FAIR PROGRAMMING 2025

Thursday 15th
21:00 Opening ceremony of the May Fair 2025, with a performance of the Torrevieja national anthem by the UMT band. Fireworks will follow. –
21:30 Performance by the QK Dance Academy .
22:30 Performance by the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood Choir.

Friday 16th
21:00 Performance by the Arantxa Dance Academy
22:00 Performance by the Torrevieja Municipal Dance School
23:00 Performance by Aire de Lo Ferro

Saturday 17th
Noon Celebration of the traditional Misa Rociera (Rociera Mass) in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, sung by the choir of the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood. Afterward, a parade of horsemen and carriages will take place to the fairgrounds in Antonio Soria Park.
Itinerary: Depart from the Church of the Immaculate Conception and walk up Bazán Street, Delfina Viudes Street until reaching the fairgrounds in Antonio Soria Park.
Once there, the traditional horse parade will begin.
21:00 Performance by the Soul Dance Studio Dance Academy
22:00 Performance by the Paya’s Dance School.
23:00 Performance by the group Siempre Así.

Sunday 18th
12:30 – 17:00 Horse-drawn carriage ride around the fairgrounds
20:30 Performance by the Mery Dance Academy
21:30 Performance by the Brisa del Sur Choir
22:00 Salve and closing ceremony of the 2025 Sevillanas fair sung by the choirs Brisa del Sur, Alba Rociera, and the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood.

Full programme and schedule at: www.torrevieja.es

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Costa Blanca

Drunk driver caught in Santa Pola with a new license and no lights at night

At the weekend, the Santa Pola Local Police apprehended a driver who had recently obtained a licence and was in violation of numerous regulations.

In this coastal town in Alicante, the police stopped him for exceeding the alcohol limit and using the cycle lane, despite his limited driving experience of only two months.

According to the police force, the incident occurred at night and without headlights, which exacerbated the situation.

The traffic safety regulations have been implemented for all of the aforementioned reasons, as the Local Police have stated on their social media accounts that the risk posed by the absence of lights is not limited to the car.