The Guardia Civil has dismantled an illegal vehicle repair workshop close to the Lagunas de la Mata y Torrevieja natural park in the province of Alicante after drone surveillance detected irregular activity. The operation began in October on a plot within a residential development and followed observations by the drone unit of the Unidad de Seguridad Ciudadana (Usecic) in Torrevieja. Information was passed by the Patrol of Fiscal and Borders (Pafite) to Seprona officers in Guardamar, who have led the investigation.

On inspection, officers identified the site manager and found twelve cars and two vans, largely belonging to foreign owners, workbenches with dismantled parts, mechanical tools and containers of used oil. They also found new spare parts ready for fitting, including filters and an alternator. Investigators recorded multiple administrative breaches: lack of authorisation and licences, industrial safety faults and irregular management, storage and handover of toxic and hazardous waste.

Because used oils can contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc and chromium, the Guardia Civil has said the case could lead to criminal liability given the risk to the nearby protected area. The plot had previously been the subject of a complaint on 5 March 2024, which may indicate possible recurrence. A forty seven year old local has been proposed for administrative sanctions; the findings have been sent to municipal and regional authorities and agents have requested the closure and sealing of the facilities.