Nov 14 - Opposition Calls For Eastside Reporting Berth As Eyewitnesses Report Fast Launch Smuggling Activity
The Opposition says it is concerned at the increase in tobacco smuggling activity in certain areas in Gibraltar which is now, according to them, “clearly getting out of control.”
The GSD said it initially raised the issue in Parliament in September last year, followed by a press release in April this year in which it highlighted the concerns being expressed by members of the public.
The GSD says that it is “clear that the situation has deteriorated since then, not only within specific neighbourhoods, but also, more specifically, smuggling from Eastern Beach has now become a daily occurrence.”
A spokesperson said: “Disturbing eye witness reports brought to the Opposition’s attention describe incidents of tobacco smuggling from Eastern Beach into Spain, both during the day and at night. Vigilantes with balaclavas can be seen in the area of the MOT Centre and further up the reclaimed land just above it. Several cars with Spanish registration plates (G plated cars have also been spotted, but less frequently) speed down to the end of Eastern Beach road where other individuals who are waiting behind the parapet wall, quickly unload the black plastic bags, run across the beach in front of the airfield into Spain, and then run back to await another load. This is happening at 20-minute intervals on a daily basis. Other eye witnesses have also reported fast launch activity from Eastern Beach into Spain, both in broad daylight and under cover of darkness, with the vessels travelling without lights and at a fast speed.”
The GSD says that this large scale activity has the potential of severely damaging Gibraltar’s reputation once again, and needs to be “nipped in the bud” before it escalates even further. The Opposition also believes it poses an important security risk, with established entry points in and out of Gibraltar being blatantly by-passed by the many individuals involved in this activity.
The Opposition says it renews its call on the Government, as the Leader of the Opposition did during his Budget speech, to plough ahead with the provision of a permanent reporting berth on the Eastside to facilitate the work of Police and Customs in ensuring that that maritime laws are enforced and smuggling curtailed. The Opposition note that this was an electoral pledge of the GSLP during the last elections and that it will fully support and commend the Government if it proceeds to implement this without delay.
