Alicante tightens the net on the illegal market of Colonia Requena

The Alicante City Council is determined to eradicate the illegal market that sets up every afternoon on Cuarzo Street, in the Colonia Requena neighbourhood. From 5:00 PM, the sidewalks of this pedestrian street are filled with blankets displaying all kinds of products: sneakers, clothing, cleaning items, or toys, among others.

Therefore, the Local Police act firmly to eliminate this activity. From September 1st to the present month of May, 316 operations have been carried out. Surveillance is not only focused on Cuarzo Street but also extends to nearby roads, such as Esmeralda and Olivino.

Residents have been denouncing this practice for more than two years, which began with just two stalls and now exceeds a dozen. They emphasize that the problem is not only street vending but also the sense of insecurity and the dirt it leaves in one of the city's most socially excluded neighbourhoods. Even so, they acknowledge the efforts of the security forces. "They act with interest and willingness to help solve the problems," affirms Ana Mari Galiana Marco, representative of the neighbourhood association.

The City Council confirms that the most frequent actions in the area focus on combating unauthorized sales. In parallel, numerous traffic violation reports have been processed in recent months, with four vehicles immobilized.

However, residents insist on the need for constant surveillance. They report that after police interventions, vendors return just minutes after the patrol leaves, reinstalling their stalls with new products.

The situation is particularly concerning for families in the neighbourhood, as the stalls are located next to a sports area frequented daily by dozens of minors. Additionally, they fear that illegal sales could lead to other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking.

In addition to the irregular market on Cuarzo Street, a tent had been set up on Ópalo Street in recent weeks. Residents expressed concern about its proximity to the local playground and the waste left by the homeless people residing there, including syringes, according to the neighbours.

The swift action of the Local Police on May 14th led to the dismantling of this dwelling, restoring normality to this street in Colonia Requena. The Colonia Requena association especially appreciates the coordination between the different security forces and the cleaning services that acted afterwards, leaving the area as it was before.

The National Police also operates in this area, in collaboration with the Local Police, especially in operations requiring greater deployment. The Northern District's Operational Response Group (GOR) has conducted patrols and identification checks around the market as part of special plans to enhance security.

Police sources claim that illegal activity has progressively decreased and that a constant presence is maintained in the neighbourhood. In cases of merchandise seizure, the Judicial Police also intervene.