Smugglers Carry Out Brazen Drug Deal On Spanish Beach

Stunned tourists watched on as a group of drug smugglers pulled up to a beach in a boat and dumped bags of cannabis into the back of a car parked on the sand.

The gang reportedly threatened to kill any witnesses who attempted to alert the police during the three-minute transaction near the tourist resort of Estepona, Spain, this week.

Incredible footage has now been released showing holidaymakers watching on as the criminals run between from the boat to the 4x4, throwing huge sacks of drugs into the back.

After filling the car, the gang then makes its escape, with the 4x4 speeding off while a group of smugglers head off down the beachfront.

According to reports, one of the drugs traffickers was heard threatening sunbathers, shouting: "The mobile. If you call, I'll kill you."

The shocking incident was filmed by witnesses who were watching from a property overlooking the beach.

One of the onlookers can be heard saying: "It's amazing. There's people sunbathing on the beach and no sign of police whatsoever."

Solarpix

As the 4x4 pulls away with the cannabis resin on board, another sarcastically remarks: "That's it, now to make money."

The drop took place on Monday (2 September) on a beach just a short drive from Estepona town centre - a popular destination with British holidaymakers and expats.

The police has said the blatant act showed more resources were needed to tackle the scourge of drugs trafficking.

Marilo Valencia, the General Secretary for Andalucia of leading police union SUP, also insisted it highlighted the need for a unified national police force in Spain.

The country is policed at a national level by two forces, the National Police and the Civil Guard, with the two forces covering different areas.

A National Police spokesman confirmed: "An investigation is underway but we have made no arrests so far."

According to reports, a source close to the investigation said the transaction had taken place on a beach opposite a residential area known as Riviera Andalucia, just west of Estepona town centre, around 2pm.

Solarpix

This isn't the first time criminals have used similar tactics to avoid detection from the police.
In July, a group of men were filmed loading a speedboat - used in the illegal drugs trade - with fuel-filled jerrycans on Tubalitas beach in Manilva near Estepona.

At the time, Civil Guard union representative Jose Encinas told Spanish daily El Mundo that the boat filmed in the footage was a supply vessel used to refuel speedboats that make the short crossing from Morocco to Spain with cannabis resin.

He said: "The key is being able to demonstrate that this type of vessel is carrying fuel to the narco-boats.

"If that can be demonstrated, they would then be members of an organised gang, but that is something that requires investigation.

"The reason these people act with total impunity is because there are not enough police resources to conduct a proper investigation."

Topics: World News, crime, Drugs

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom