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Mallorca's 'drugs supermarket' gets behind Spain for the World Cup

The Spain booth is a drugs sales point

The Spain booth, now dedicated to the football team. | Photo: MDB

| | Palma |

Time was when the drugs clans of Palma's notorious Son Banya shanty town didn't seek to draw unnecessary attention to themselves or to their illegal trade. Everyone knew this was Mallorca's 'drugs supermarket', but the clans didn't go out of their way to advertise it.

This is no longer the case. A new generation in Son Banya has suggested it wants to make the place more 'customer-friendly'. Meanwhile, the clans revel in goading the police and Palma Town Hall. They put up buildings or create roads. These, obviously enough, don't have permission. The town hall periodically moves in and dismantles the illegal structures. No one is ever held responsible for this building, as it is impossible to assign responsibility.

In place of the one-time discretion there are now displays that deliberately draw attention. Last Christmas, for example, a giant inflatable Santa Claus (Papa Noel) appeared. The clans have previously demonstrated their 'patriotism' by putting up Spanish flags, and one of the sales booths they have put up always has a Spanish theme. With the World Cup just a month away, this booth has been dedicated to support for Spain.

There are images of Spanish players past and present - Raúl and Pedri, for instance. It is a further example of the clans thumbing their noses at the authorities.

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