The Costa Blanca should now be able to prevent smugglers bringing in their drug loads.The police should be able to spot boat loads of illegal immigrants entering the country and of course they should also be able to pick out those who are having problems at sea and go to their aid.They should be able to do all of these things but it appears that the new Integral External Vigilance System isn’t working as it should.
There are systems up and running at San Antoni between Javea and Denia,Sierra Helada in Benidorm,Santa Pola lighthouse and Cabo Roig in Orihuela.The whole coast should be under surveillance 24 hours a day.Yet it is known that at least three boats have got to shore without anyone knowing about it.
Five officers are available to monitor the system every shift and they are linked to command centres in other provinces.The radar can detect craft at 40 miles off shore and are equipped with thermal and infra red cameras which can capture detailed images from 18-20 miles in clear conditions.
The same system has been working in Andalucia with great effect as the number of drug hauls have gone down as has the number of illegal immigrants.
