For some months now, shopkeepers and local residents have been warning of the lack of control and spread of street traders.
As a result, Palma council decided to take action and early last Friday morning, police from both forces swung into action.
During the operation more than 40 people were identified, at least six of them were arrested for an alleged offence against the Immigration Act and for being in an irregular situation in the country.
All those arrested were also charged with an alleged offence against intellectual and industrial property for selling counterfeit copies of brand-name T-shirts, wallets, glasses or handbags.
The operation has been welcomed by shopkeepers and neighbours.
“We understand that they are people without papers who have to make a living, but what cannot be allowed is for them to come here, take over the area and cheat tourists with mere fakes. We are paying our taxes, premises, electricity, water, licenses etc... and the competition is brutal. They don’t pay anything and it is impossible to compete on equal terms”, said one of the traders in Palma.
5 comments
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To kill the snake, cut of it´s head. Taking down the sellers is useless as they have nothing to loose. Go after the organisations that provide them with the products, then results will come and stay.
As much as I commend this operation, it's merely posturing and nothing will actually change. I remember a few years back I watched the police arrest the illegal fruit sellers on the beach. After 15mins they were released, they went looking for their fruit that the police had just dumped in a bin, rinsed it off in the shower and continued like nothing had happened. If they actually cared about doing something, the results would have been very different!
Really. They have been doing this show for many years now. Life goes on as normal here in wonderful Mallorca. 😊
Same story every year and nothing changes.
Finally and Long Overdue as a result of past turn a Blind eye policies and a lack of will this has Now turned out to be a Massive Problem and I personally Applaude whoever has initiated this operation there are people behind this entire setup and they are well organised , will be interesting to see if the situation changes .