Costa Blanca

Couple arrested for a marijuana plantation with 481 plants hidden in their home

A marijuana plantation with 481 plants concealed in a single-family home in Busot (Alicante) was dismantled by the Guardia Civil as part of the ‘Legar’ operation, resulted in the imprisonment of a couple who were accused of drug trafficking, electricity fraud, cultivation and production of narcotic substances, and membership in a criminal organisation.

The investigation commenced in August 2024, when agents from the Investigation Area of the Guardia Civil of the municipality of Alicante from Sant Vicent del Raspeig, through the collaboration of a citizen, were informed of constant noises from electrical devices and suspicious movements allegedly carried out by some neighbours who resided in a three-story building of approximately 400 square meters (m2).

The agents discovered that the house was rented by a couple who presumably paid the rent in cash and kept the electricity supplied to the owner’s name after conducting a variety of procedures, as stated in a statement by the armed institute.

Agents entered and searched the residence on April 1st, where they apprehended the two primary suspects, a man and a woman of Serbian descent, aged 45 and 44, respectively. The suspects resided at the residence with their young son.

The final phase of flowering was observed in 481 adult marijuana plants that were dispersed throughout all rooms of the housing, including areas that were equipped with works to conceal the installation. These works included modified partitions, boarded-up windows, holes in forged, high-capacity electrical and ventilation systems, as well as specific machinery for the treatment and packaging of the product.

The clandestine laboratory was equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including low-consumption LED displays, osmosis systems, anti-odour filters, and chemical fertilisers, which were designed to enhance the concentration of the active ingredient in marijuana. These technologies were valued at over 18,000 euros.

Technicians from the electric company discovered an alleged fraudulent connection to the underground network during the inspection. This connection was potentially hazardous and could have resulted in a fire. Furthermore, they informed the agents that the purported electricity fraud exceeded 80,000 wattage, which is equivalent to the consumption of approximately 50 residential properties with comparable features.

The Court of Instruction number one of Sant Vicent del Raspeig has ordered the imprisonment of the two detainees, who are accused of the crimes of cultivation and production of narcotic substances, trafficking drugs, electricity fraud, and belonging to a criminal organisation.

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Related Topics:Alicante Court Drugs Electric Housing Marijuana Trafficking

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Costa Blanca

The towns with the highest crime rate in Alicante province

Although the Ministry of the Interior’s most recent data indicates a slight decrease in crime in Spain during 2024, the Crime Report also documents an increase in certain serious crimes, including intentional homicides and completed murders, which have increased by 4.5%, and sexual assaults with penetration, which have increased by 6.7%.

In comparison to the conventional crime rate, this amounts to 41.0 crimes per thousand inhabitants. Additionally, the report offers a detailed analysis of the various offences and the number of reported cases in each municipality. Statistics in the province of Alicante set it apart.

In 2024, the city of Alicante in the Valencian Community province was the municipality with the highest crime rate, with a total of 20,577 cases recorded. Following it are Torrevieja with 8,337, Elche with 8,132, and Benidorm with 5,167. Nevertheless, it is crucial to bear in mind that the provincial capital has a significantly higher population than the remainder of the municipality.

Kidnapping is one of the most egregious crimes in this region. In the province of Alicante, there were 8 of the 13 cases that occurred throughout the Valencian Community. Alicante reported three cases, Benidorm reported one, Calp reported one, Pilar de la Horadada reported one, Crevillent reported one, and Torrevieja reported one.

The province reported a total of 1,145 cases of narcotic trafficking. Last year, Benidorm reported 171 cases of this form of crime, making it the second most notable town after Alicante, which reported 352 cases. There are also villages and cities where fewer than 10 cases have been reported, including Calp (2), Ibi (3), Sant Joan d’Alacant (4), Novelda (4), Villajoyosa (6), Almoradí (7), Mutxamel (7), Alcoy (8 cases), Petrer (8), and San Vicente del Raspeig (9).

The province has a total of 1,008 transgressions against sexual freedom, as listed in the Interior Ministry report. This category encompasses sexual assault and abuse that involves penetration, with a total of 222 cases reported last year. Villena, Petrer, and Ibi are among the municipalities that have not recorded any cases. However, Alicante, Elche, and Benidorm have higher numbers: 52, 30, and 19 cases, respectively.

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Costa Blanca

Torrevieja will celebrate the Europe Day Gala tomorrow

A special Gala to commemorate Europe Day 2025 is being organised at the International Auditorium by the Department of the Presidency and the Department of International Residents of the Torrevieja City Council. The Torrevieja Symphony Orchestra Ensemble will be responsible for the institutional portion of the event, which will include the European Union anthem. Additionally, the Gala will feature performances by several local performers, including Zhanel and the group Sincopa (all from Ukraine), who will entertain us with Eurovision songs. Siempre Disco Remember will conclude the Gala, featuring a medley of tracks from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

The 7:30 p.m. gala is scheduled to take place at the Torrevieja International Auditorium this Friday, May 9th. Tickets are available for free with an invitation and can be reserved and downloaded from culturatorrevieja.com.

The Torrevieja City Council will provide a complimentary transport service from Calle Faleria to the International Auditorium, which will depart at 6:30 p.m. and return at the conclusion of the event.

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Costa Blanca

A car burns in Crevillent and almost causes a forest fire

Emergency services were mobilised yesterday morning, Tuesday May 7th, in Crevillent due to a fire that originated within a vehicle. The flames eventually spread to the pine forest adjacent to the road to Los Molinos. The dispatched teams’ prompt response was instrumental in the successful containment of the fire and the prevention of additional damage to this highly valuable forest area.

The blaze in the burnt-out vehicle was successfully extinguished by fire personnel from the Crevillent and Elche fire stations, thereby preventing the flames from spreading further into the surrounding countryside.

The fire, which caused alarm among residents due to the presence of sirens and visible smoke from various points in the municipality, has been stabilised as a result of a coordinated effort between firefighters, the Crevillent Local Police, the Guardia Civil, and forestry officers from the Valencia Regional Government.

The intervention was designed to prevent the fire from advancing to the pine forest that borders the Los Molinos trail, a region that is frequently visited by both tourists and residents. The prompt response brought the situation under control without any injuries.