Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Torremolinos Town Hall increased efforts this summer to combat illegal street vendors, focusing on more crowded coastal areas.
The local police has carried out 60 operations in the last two years, issuing fines for illegally sold goods in public areas and seizing them to try and curb the activity.
The latest crackdown led to the seizure of 14,280 items, which weigh an estimated total of four tonnes. The seized goods were transported in small batches to Casares’ waste treatment facility. 1.8 tonnes have already been transferred, and another 2.2 tonnes are planned for the third delivery.
In order to tackle this issue, the Council has increased surveillance, with an additional patrol unit covering the La Carihuela promenade all the way up to Benalmadena’s border, and another in Bajondillo. A general support squad and an undercover group have also been deployed. They are tracking vehicles that transport and distribute illegal merchandise.
Looky looky men crackdown duties are accompanied by extra beach guards
The operation will be supported by 15 beach guards who work daily between 12pm and 7pm from June to September. These guards aid police units in high-traffic areas, particularly along the promenades and beaches, where illegal so-called ‘looky-looky’ selling is most prevalent.
The Council emphasizes that street vending is not only damaging to legitimate businesses, but can also be connected with serious criminal gangs engaged in human trafficking and laundering money.
Nationally, this illicit activity is estimated to cause annual economic losses of €6 billion, not just to the big-name brands counterfeited but also to local legitimate businesses paying rent and tax on their shops and market stalls.
