Migrants
More than 124 migrants aboard four boats have been rescued in the past 2 days in the Strait of Gibraltar, the majority from sub-Saharan Africa.
Between December 24 and 25 253 people on seven boats were found in the Western Mediterranean .
According to figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), since the start of the year to December the 19, more than 63,085 migrants have illegally entered Spain, nearly three times as many last year.
Meanwhile
Children smiled, laughed and ate chocolate on board the boat that rescued them and other migrants last week as charity workers showed them maps of Spain, where they are due to reach land today.
The Spanish charity Proactiva Open Arms rescued more than 300 people off the coast of Libya late last Friday. Its vessel was refused entry by several European countries, including Malta and Italy, but Spain agreed to receive them.
Most of the migrants are African. A mother and her newborn baby were taken by helicopter to Malta on Saturday.
Terrorist Alert
BARCELONA continues on level four alert due to a potential terrorist attack.
The Mossos and the Guardia Urbana are shielding Las Ramblas, extending security to large vehicles and buses in the area.
Other locations such as the Sagrada Familia are also under heavy surveillance.
anti-terrorist security was heightened in Barcelona after the US State Department announced a security alert on December 23.
The official warning said that terrorists could attack at any given time without prior notice, targeting the main tourist locations and public areas during the Christmas and New Year periods.
On Christmas Eve Spain’s ‘Minister of the Interior’, said security levels would be intensified but ruled out increasing the alert level to five.
Drug Bust
POLICE in two Andalucia towns have made huge drug busts arresting four people this week.
In Manilva and Alhaurín El Grande, Guardia Civil officers seized a total of 1,232 cannabis plants.
The latest haul in the region also saw 300kg of hashish and almost 200kg of cannabis taken.
Six vehicles, two of which were stolen, are among the other items officers seized over the festive period.
The Unit against Drugs and Organised Crime have seized over 40 tonnes of drugs this year.