Maybe the Guardia Civil weren't checking on seat belts when they stopped us last night. The police are apparently carrying out numerous roadside checks for illegal immigrants.
This week, at least five boats full of Algerians have come ashore along the Costa Blanca coastline. Boats were intercepted at Guardamar del Segura, Pilar de la Horadada, El Campello and Benidorm. Local government officials believe that organized gangs are looking for new routes into Spain following the massive increase in security around the coastline in the Canary Islands and the Costa del Sol. Four out of the five boats were found empty but the boast which landed at Benidorm contained six Algerians who the police are questioning.
This summer more than twenty boats have arrived on the Murcian coast whereas previously there had only been a couple of cases. Officials believe that pressure from the Guardia Civil along the Andalucian coastline is causing those who smuggle illegal immigrants into Spain to look to new routes via the coastlines of Murcia, and Alicante. The route from Africa is too far to travel in small boats so the government firmly believes that these arrivals are a strong indication that a larger ship is involved.
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