News Archive from Andalucia & Costa del Sol
In association with
Week January 31 to February 6
MÁLAGA
HEADS LEAGUE FOR BLACK MONEY
Confiscations
at the airport top 3.5 million euros
By Dave Jamieson
MORE "BLACK" MONEY WAS SEIZED AT MÁLAGA AIRPORT THAN AT ANY OTHER AIRPORT IN SPAIN LAST YEAR.
Guardia Civil officers were involved in about 100 cases, resulting in the confiscation of over 3.5 million euros (almost 600 million pesetas). The majority of those apprehended were foreign residents in the province, with arrests particularly during the summer rush. While some money is suspected of having come from the proceeds of drug trafficking, the majority was found in the possession of private individuals intending to purchase luxury goods, including cars and furniture.
POUNDS TOP THE LIST
The most popular destination for money leaving Spain was Britain, followed by Germany, Belgium and France. Most money was found to be in British sterling, American dollars or German marks, with average seizures totalling between 30 and 36,000 euros (5 to 6 million pesetas), although in one case cash in pounds and dollars totalled 108,182 euros (18 million pesetas). By law, the maximum allowed to be taken out the country in cash, cheques and valuables without being declared is 6,010 euros (1 million pesetas).
Bringing
money into the country is free of restrictions, but if not declared
on entry, can present problems when leaving. One British citizen
who arrived from the Netherlands panicked when security equipment
detected bales of cash in one of his suitcases. When asked by security
officers to open it, he said his wife waiting outside had the key.
Allowed to go out to find her, the man disappeared. When the case
was opened, officers found American dollar notes worth 318,537 euros
(53 million pesetas).
WATER WAR IN THE AXARQUÍA
Vélez
threatens Málaga's supply
By Dave Jamieson
A water war broke out between the town of Vélez-Málaga and the city of Málaga during last week, with Vélez's Mayor threatening to cut off supplies of drinking water to the capital. The row centres on the reservoir at La Viñuela in the Axarquía which falls within the municipality of Vélez. Málaga.
In an unprecedented move, the Mayor of Vélez, Antonio Souvirón, threatened to cut the flow of water from the reservoir, if the 4.8 million euros (800 million pesetas) he says the town is owed was not forthcoming. The city, which found Sr Souvirón's threat unexpected, argues that its failure to pay the tariffs is due to their excessive price and has resorted to the courts. The Confederación Hidrográfica del Sur (CHS), the ultimate water-supply authority, is also trying to resolve the conflict.
The history of the disagreement begins in 1995, when a water pipeline was laid between Málaga and Vélez, following an agreement between CHS, Emasa (the water supply company for the capital) and the Association of Costa del Sol Municipalities. At the time, all parties agreed a fixed price of 4.67 pesetas per cubic metre of water. However, last year the Association of Municipalities raised this to 14 pesetas - and the problems started when Málaga Town Hall denounced the Association.
SHOOT-OUT IN BENALMÁDENA
Four
Britons and an Italian arrested
By David Eade
A SHOOT-OUT TOOK PLACE AT 23.30 ON THE TORREMUELLE URBANISATION WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BENALMÁDENA.
Police sources say the shoot-out was a settling of accounts between five members of a drugs gang. Two members of the gang were shot by fellow gang members before police arrived and arrested them. Of the five, four were Britons and one was Italian. The Britons were identified as Anthony B (41), Lawrence Bryan L (35), Peter D (30) and Patrick M (47). The Italian was 59-year-old Bruno S. The two gang members injured were Patrick M who received serious leg wounds and the Italian who was shot in the head. Both were rushed to the Hospital Clínico for treatment.
MEETING WAS NO SECRET
Police say they were aware that members of this gang were preparing
to meet and had received information that the Britons had arranged
to meet in Torremuelle on the night of the shooting.
When the gang spotted the police arriving they fled the scene in
their vehicles leaving behind the two injured members. The gang
were cornered by police in the parking area of the hotel Playa Bonita
were a frantic gun fight took place between the three Britons and
police. Fortunately it ended with the Britons being arrested, and
with no further injuries.
CRIME SQUAD IN ACTION
Officers of the specialist Drugs and Organised Crime Squad (UDYCO) from Fuengirola took the lead in the arrests. They recovered a pistol and a revolver plus all the vehicles of the five arrested. A UDYCO spokesman has made it clear that the squad expects to make additional arrests in the near future.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Fuengirola
Town Hall and the company Myramar-Eroski have reached an accord
to carry out various public projects in the municipality to the
value of seven million euros. Eroski is constructing the first recreational
and commercial centre in the town and will fully fund the various
projects. The Town Hall has made it clear that the money from the
agreement will be spent to the benefit of the town's residents and
the funding comes without any strings attached.
Of the seven million euros, 1.58 million will be allocated to the
remodelling of the following five town centre streets - Avenida
Jacinto Benavente plus the Calles Oviedo, San Pancracio, España
and Cervantes. The remaining 5.41 million euros will be invested
in a bridge across the río Fuengirola close to the old people's
residence.
TRADERS SAY NO
The small traders of Fuengirola through Cepymes and the Association of Traders and Businesses of Fuengirola (ACEF) have again expressed their opposition to the Myramar-Eroski project. They have made known their continuing rejection of a giant leisure and commercial centre on the banks of the río Fuengirola.
Cepymes has gone as far as to present a case against the project in the neighbouring municipality of Mijas, which borders on to the Myramar-Eroski site. Both Cepymes and ACEF insist that such a large development will bring no benefits to the small traders and will damage trading in Fuengirola town centre.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Fuengirola
Town Hall and the company Myramar-Eroski have reached an accord
to carry out various public projects in the municipality to the
value of seven million euros. Eroski is constructing the first recreational
and commercial centre in the town and will fully fund the various
projects. The Town Hall has made it clear that the money from the
agreement will be spent to the benefit of the town's residents and
the funding comes without any strings attached.
Of the seven million euros, 1.58 million will be allocated to the
remodelling of the following five town centre streets - Avenida
Jacinto Benavente plus the Calles Oviedo, San Pancracio, España
and Cervantes. The remaining 5.41 million euros will be invested
in a bridge across the río Fuengirola close to the old people's
residence.
TRADERS SAY NO
The small traders of Fuengirola through Cepymes and the Association of Traders and Businesses of Fuengirola (ACEF) have again expressed their opposition to the Myramar-Eroski project. They have made known their continuing rejection of a giant leisure and commercial centre on the banks of the río Fuengirola.
Cepymes has gone as far as to present a case against the project in the neighbouring municipality of Mijas, which borders on to the Myramar-Eroski site. Both Cepymes and ACEF insist that such a large development will bring no benefits to the small traders and will damage trading in Fuengirola town centre.
NEW S.O.S. SERVICE FOR ANDALUCIA
By Dorothy Price
LOCAL RESIDENTS MAY ALREADY BE AWARE OF THE 061 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER, AVAILABLE NATIONALLY AS AN EQUIVALENT FOR THE UK 999 SERVICE.
This however should only be used for Life and Death Emergencies, which hopefully will be the exception rather than the rule.
A new Service has now been introduced, available THROUGHOUT ANDALUCIA, simply by ringing 902 505 061. This will cover the usual health and accident emergencies, but will not vary according to province or situation. It will be manned 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, and is already fully in use.
Calls within each province will be answered by a team of qualified health workers, who will take details of the problem involved. They will pass the message on to the nearest service available according to the needs of each case. Instructions will be given as to the location to be visited, or the help which will be sent on the spot when necessary. It is also planned that this service will be available in languages other than Spanish.
PRINTED LEAFLET AND CARD
A printed leaflet has been prepared, together with a detachable 'tarjeta'-sized card, with the above detail. This should be kept with your TASS (Social Security card) for residents or with your copy of the E111 - for visitors. Information is being sent to local press and radio stations, and posters will be distributed to health centres, pharmacies, hotels, bus and train stations, etc. in order to inform as many people as possible.
NEWCASTLE
UNITED TO BUY LOCAL SIDE
By David Eade
Negotiations are going ahead between famous British Premier Division soccer club Newcastle United and La Línea's Second Division B side Real Balompédica Linense. A series of negotiations have taken place between Douglas Hall (son of Newcastle's owner John Hall), the Mayor of La Línea Juan Carlos Juárez plus club directors from La Línea and Gibraltar.
It is understood that the La Línea club have now given Newcastle United their up-to-date accounts. La Línea's councillor for sport, Jesús Soler, said Newcastle's offer was the "most serious" received by the club and that the premiership side was "very interested".
If the buy-out goes ahead it is likely that Real Balompédica (known locally as Balona) will play in the famous black and white stripes of the Magpies. It is also believed that Hall would loan to the La Línea club four young players currently on Newcastle's books.
The Geordie club has already set up an office in Gibraltar from which it intends to co-ordinate its merchandising and sporting projects in Europe. Such a link-up could also attract support for the La Línea side from Britons living on the Costa and Gibraltar especially if young Newcastle players were in the side.