UK tourists in Spain face 'crimewave' as police launch 13 operations to stop it
Visitors and holidaymakers from the UK have been warned after Policia Nacional "pulled back the curtain" in Malaga.
Spanish police have launched a dozen Costa del Sol crime wave operations as the number of crimes continues to skyrocket. European Union holidaymakers from the UK have been warned after Policia Nacional "pulled back the curtain" in Malaga.
It has launched a series of investigations targeting crime on the Costa del Sol over the past 18 months, reports the Olive Press. 13 separate operations resulted in approximately 40 arrests, with drugs seized.
Police also snatched military-grade weapons during Operation Hawthorn – Marbella, Operation Smoke – Fuengirola, Operation Noria – Sabinillas, Operation Palomar – Malaga, Operation Orenda – Costa del Sol and Operation Torcal – Costa del Sol.
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Operation Hawthorn came when three British nationals with criminal records across Spain and the UK were arrested for kidnapping, belonging to a criminal organisation, and illegal arms possession.
Police are also investigating the shooting of a Dutch man outside a cannabis club on Calle Asturias and the kidnapping of an individual by seven men of Spanish and Moroccan nationality.
Police are also probing the fatal shooting of a man on Calle Virgen del Pilar on 9 April 2025 as well as an incident which saw Eastern Europeans (two Russian, two Ukrainian) and two Spaniards arrested for kidnapping and violent robbery.
Operation Bicol – Costa del Sol, Operation Wolverine – Marbella and Operation Mosque – Marbella complete the list, alongside Operation Orange – Marbella, Operation Verde – Marbella and Operation Sala – Marbella.
Operation Falla – Marbella completed the list. Last month saw a brutal double shooting while expats had been enjoying a drink after the Champions League final on Saturday, May 31.
A masked man is said to have entered Monaghans Bar, in Fuengirola, Andalusia, and killed two men in front of tourists and expats.
The victims were widely named as well-known gangsters Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyonrs Jr.