Massive anti-organized crime operation on Costa del Sol, Brits and Irish arrested

(Agencies/Photo: Diario Sur) Early this morning an operation by the Organized Crime Units of the National Police (Udyco) spread out on the Costa del Sol, from Estepona to Marbella and Fuengirola, arresting over 20 people, mainly British and Irish, allegedly involved in such things as assasinations, kidnappings, drug dealing and prostitution, among others. Most of those arrested so far are British and Irish. Searches of homes are under way (Read the whole story with updates on CampoPulse)

Geoff Hurst caught up in Spanish property deal scam

Football legend Sir Geoff Hurst is apparently caught up in a Spanish property scandal. The British press quotes him as being "full of remorse" and having been allegedly "used and abused" by the Royal Marbella Group, for whom he became a spokesperson and project ambassador. Hurst told the High Court on Monday that he had been deceived by a "cynical scheme" to con investors. Sir Geoff and his wife Lady Judith were apparently cheated out of an investment of almost €700,000 by the British business people behind the company, which he was also hired to promote. In the promotion for the project, Hurst, who appeared or allowed his name to be used in brochures and a DVD, was quoted as saying that he had found partners "who won't let me down." In five hours of testimony in the High Court, he admitted he had been "foolish." (See whole story on CampoPulse.)

Ryanair to open Málaga operations base

(Agencies) Ryanair has announced a new operations base to open in Málaga in June next year, which will be the low cost airline’s 38th base worldwide and its fifth in Spain. Four aircraft are to be permanently based at the facilities. The company's CEO, Michael O’Leary (photo), gave the news at a press conference in Málaga on Wednesday, announcing that the new base will bring with it 19 new routes from the Costa del Sol capital, bringing Ryanair’s total routes at Málaga Airport up to 39 and its number of flights per week up to 360. The new routes include connections in Spain with Santander, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza and Valladolid, and, in Europe, with Berlin Schonefeld, Munich West, Paris Beauvais, Stockholm, Oslo and Venice.>

One of Britain's Most Wanted arrested in Marbella

(Público) Ronald W. Priestly, 69, one of Britain's Most Wanted fugitives, was arrested on Friday in Marbella. Sought for forgery, his photo appeared on numerous websites and lists of fugitives in the UK. Investigators suspected he was somewhere on a coast in Spain, probably Marbella. British police were watching his home in Darlaston but had an international warrant out for his arrest on several counts of forgery of excellent quality 20 pound notes. When his Marbella home was searched, partly burned notes were found in an incinerator, plus 4.250.000 pounds in false notes. (Related items)