Yahoo News Spain's crackdown could cost unwary tourists up to £170 in fines
Spain is set to introduce fines for tourists who purchase goods from unlicensed traders in a new crackdown.
Undercover police officers will be patrolling the streets of Costa Blanca, issuing penalties to unsuspecting shoppers.
The popular holiday destination is acting against illegal street vendors, who sell everything from trainers and sunglasses to counterfeit 'designer' handbags and watches. The extremely low prices often lure tourists, but those who buy these cheap souvenirs could now find themselves £170 out of pocket, reports Birmingham Live.
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Plain-clothed police will be conducting patrols throughout the peak summer holiday period, and individuals caught buying from unlicensed 'manteros' will be hit with immediate fines of up to €200 (equivalent to £170).
These sellers are locally known in Spain as manteros or 'top mantas' because they typically display their goods on top of blankets spread out on the street. Recently, the Guardia Civil confiscated several tonnes of counterfeit products from a warehouse in Alicante intended for street sellers.
The mayor of Torrevieja, a bustling city on the Costa Blanca, has requested an increase in police presence this summer to enforce the rules. During the peak of summer, the city's population more than doubles to around 500,000, according to Alicante Today.
There have been calls on Spain's Costa del Sol for stricter penalties for those who purchase from the so-called 'looky looky men'. These wandering street vendors, often seen peddling trinkets, clothing and counterfeit items to beachgoers in Spain, are frequently operating illegally without a licence.
The local Association of Traders and Businessmen claims that legitimate shop owners in the coastal town of Benalmadena are losing between 20 and 30 per cent of their profits to these unlicensed sellers.
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