The Alicante Neighbourhood of Colonia Requena Rises Against Illegal Market

Residents of Colonia Requena have grown weary of the illegal market that has been setting up every afternoon for over two years on Cuarzo Street. Around 5 PM, sheets and blankets are laid out on this pedestrian area, displaying trainers, cleaning products, clothes, toys, or any item that can be sold and bought, all without any form of permission or product traceability.

The issue is not new, and local residents explain that initially, there were only a couple of stalls, but now more and more are joining. It's not just that the market is illegal; it also creates a sense of insecurity in one of the neighbourhoods at high risk of social exclusion, according to local complaints. In fact, these stalls are located right next to one of the sports areas in this urban enclave, where dozens of children come to train every day.

According to reports, this illegal activity has been denounced multiple times, and it is common for police forces to arrive and disperse the market. However, as soon as they leave, the stalls quickly return. In fact, from the residents' association, the recently deceased Antonio Colomina had already reported this practice and worked closely with the police to try to put an end to it.

Among the concerns of those living in Colonia Requena is not only the illegality of selling goods of unknown origin but also the possibility that this space could be used for selling other types of substances. This is why they fear it could become a conflict point in the neighbourhood.

Not only that, but once the stalls are removed, the area is left dirty and littered with debris, making it practically unusable for any other purpose until the next day when they are set up again in the same spot.

The National Police confirm that they act periodically, but they are still striving to eradicate this practice. Meanwhile, residents are calling for more decisive actions. They request not only the removal of the vendors' stalls but also informing customers that they may be contributing to punishable criminal activities.