In Denia , La Nucia and Villajoyosa on the Costa Blanca , the National Police has arrested 23 people who they allege are involved in arms dealing The people are all believed to be Bulgarian and the arrests have taken place after lengthy surveillance which determined that the men were using a car wash business as cover for their operations .The car wash businesses were in Malaga on the Costa del Sol and in La Nucia .

The police say that the gang loaded guns into the boots of carswhile they were passing through the car wash which was owned by one of those who has been detained .It is alleged that he was using money from drugs to buy the guns in frm Bulgaria .In searches of properties in Denia , La Nucia and Malaga weapons have been discovered .There were 19 automatic pistols originating in Turkey , inhibitors used to disarm alarm systems and more than 77,000 euros in cash plus five high powered vehicles .

It is hoped that this has dealt a serious blow to crime on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol as it is believed that these people were involved in violent robberies and drug trafficking .The tip off about this gang came from the Bulgarian police .All 23 have been remanded in custody .