The drugs clans of Palma's Son Banya shanty town are constantly creating new ways of making the place seem more inviting to their clients. The clans create them, and the town hall goes and demolishes them. Son Banya may be Mallorca's drugs supermarket, but the town hall is just as concerned by the regular violations of planning regulations.
The Las Vegas neon sign was an example of the clans' efforts; the town hall tore that down. The latest 'attraction' is a 2.4-metre-high inflatable Santa Claus.
But while Santa is sending out a Christmas greeting to the addicts of Mallorca, Palma Police are aware that the clans are hard at it building access roads. Or rather, they are rebuilding them. The town hall ripped up the previous ones.
This latest work comes replete with festive lights. The dealers are said to be wrapping drugs in Christmas paper.
Whether the Son Banya Santa will still be around at Christmas may depend on how swiftly the town hall moves. Reports have been drawn up regarding the latest violations.