The Guardia Civil has found an illegal vehicle repair workshop in Torrevieja, just metres from the Lagunas de la Mata y Torrevieja Natural Park, an illegal activity that could be causing a serious environmental impact.
Several surveillance flights by drones found strange activity on a rented piece of land in a residential development, which led to the operation. The operation started in October when the Citizen Security Unit (USECIC) saw something fishy and told the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) in Guardamar about it. SEPRONA then took over the investigation.
The workshop had 12 cars, 2 vans, and hazardous rubbish that wasn’t being handled.
Officers found 12 cars and 2 vans with different owners, most of whom were from other countries. Inside, they found mechanics’ tools, used oil barrels, workbenches with parts taken apart, and new spare parts like filters and an alternator that were ready to be put in.
The site did not have any administrative permissions, safety steps for workers, or waste management rules. Toxic and dangerous waste, such as oils having heavy metals like lead, cadmium, zinc, and chromium, was found. Leaving this waste alone or dumping it could be catastrophic for the environment.
The person who did it has done it before; they were reported in 2024.
The agents confirmed that similar events had been recorded on the same piece of land on March 5th, 2024. This makes things worse for the person responsible, a 47-year-old neighbour who is now being suggested for punishment for a number of environmental, industrial, and waste management violations.
The case has been sent to the right municipal and regional officials, and because the violations were so serious, the facilities have been asked to be closed and sealed.
There are safety and environmental risks that the Guardia Civil worries about these secret workshops.
The agency wants to warn people that these illegal activities put the environment at risk as well as the safety of the people who are in the vehicles being fixed and the people who are working on them. Also, it tells people not to use unauthorised workshops because they don’t offer promises and can put drivers in more danger.
Author: Derek Appleton
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