On Monday´s Spanish news headlines, twenty-three people arrested for drug delivery network in four Andalusian provinces, five arrested for stealing perfumes, and Alcampo expanding pre-loved clothing. Plus, on Monday, Eurozone inflation and Spain’s trade balance will be the key metrics. Remember, tomorrow, Tuesday, is a holiday in Spain.

Spanish News Headlines

The Guardia Civil has carried out an operation in which a total of twenty-three people have been arrested – and another six investigated – for their involvement in a criminal organisation dedicated to drug trafficking. From the region of Sierra Norte and Dos Hermanas (Seville), the detainees carried out drug sales in Seville, Córdoba, Cádiz, and Huelva. To do this, they used a network of distributors in each of these provinces and whose deployment had a direct impact on the sale price, through the charging of shipping costs to the consumer. The Guardia Civil arrested five people, and investigated a sixth, dedicated to stealing perfumery items from a well-known commercial chain in the province of Malaga. Several complaints from different establishments of this same chain put the Guardia Civil on alert, who discovered that they were the same group of people. In total, more than 10 robberies and thefts have been recorded in establishments in Alhaurín el Grande, Alhaurín de la Torre, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Málaga capital. French grocery retailer Alcampo, in collaboration with Moda re-, has inaugurated a corner dedicated to second-hand clothing in its hypermarket located in the Parque Corredor shopping centre, in Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid. This opening increases the number of similar corners in the Community of Madrid to 7 and to 27 throughout Spain, marking the third anniversary since the first initiative of this type was launched in Barcelona. The new space in Torrejón de Ardoz has more than 500 clothing items for women, men and children, as well as accessories, with prices ranging from 2 to 20 euro. To read these articles in full, visit SpainToday.news

Business, Markets and Statistics

The week begins in Spain with the publication of the January trade balance, a reference that will also be known in the eurozone, along with the final inflation data for February. On Monday, investors will also be keeping an eye on various macro data coming out in China, such as industrial production, unemployment rate and retail sales. In Spain, the day begins with the INE publishing the service sector price index for the fourth quarter, then the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business releases the foreign trade report for January. In the Eurozone, Eurostat publishes final inflation data for February, and the trade balance for January. In the UK, Rightmove House Price Index is published, and ALVA figures on visitors to leading UK attractions.

Things to Do Today

This week sees Father’s Day on Tuesday, San Jose, and so there will be a few themed events taking place, including in Terra Natura in Benidorm, where you can get a meal with your special Father’s Day entrance ticket. Whilst we are talking about Benidorm, the Terra Mitica theme park is also set to open soon for the summer season, opening the doors on 17 May. For more local events, pick up The Leader newspaper every Monday, and This is Torrevieja for Torrevieja events.

Local Markets

Monday is market day in Elche and Santa Pola. The roads will of course be busy around those locations.

Traffic and Travel

Road wise, there´s nothing significant planned but remember that if you are venturing into the mountain areas, which in some cases might be less than an hour from the sunny coast, snow chains should be a consideration to avoid getting stranded. For information and updates about driving in Spain, visit N332.es

Official Websites for Travel Information

On This Day

1937, in Guadalajara (1995, Elena de Borbón, Infanta of Spain and eldest daughter of the Kings of Spain, marries Jaime de Marichalar in Seville. Spain) – within the framework of the Spanish civil war -, in another attempt to isolate Madrid, the Spanish republicans defeat the Italians in the Battle of Guadalajara. 1932, in Zaragoza, the Real Zaragoza football club is founded.