Sign up to our Whatsapp news channel for the latest news updates: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCfmrn4o7qVV4ayRQ2T
On Saturday, Palma Police staged an operation against illegal street selling, counterfeit goods and illegal immigration.
In the morning, police were deployed simultaneously, blocking all entrances, exits and possible escape routes from S’Hort del Rei, Dalt Murada, Almudaina and the Cathedral in one of the largest operations of this kind ever carried out in the city. Fourteen people were charged with offences against intellectual and industrial property - the sale of counterfeit branded t-shirts, wallets, glasses and bags.
This was a larger operation than one on April 8, when Palma town hall announced that there would be further actions. Residents and legitimate traders welcomed the operation, but one trader said: "These operations should be carried out every day. They are very good, but it is a war, a constant battle. We understand that they are people without papers who have to earn a living, but what cannot happen is that they come here, take over the area and deceive tourists with fake goods. We are paying our taxes, premises, electricity, water, licences, etc. They don't pay anything and it's impossible to fight on equal terms."
Over the next few days, the police will file reports but knowing that fines achieve very little as the illegal traders are insolvent. The main blow to their activities comes from the loss of the goods.