Fallas police report: Almost 400 complaints for drugs and 145 for illicit pyrotechnics

Agents from the Security, Support and Prevention Unit of the Local Police of Valencia have filed 391 complaints for consumption or possession of narcotics, the vast majority of them during the 'mascletaes', and have arrested two people for crimes against public health .

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
22 March 2024 Friday 16:50
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Fallas police report: Almost 400 complaints for drugs and 145 for illicit pyrotechnics

Agents from the Security, Support and Prevention Unit of the Local Police of Valencia have filed 391 complaints for consumption or possession of narcotics, the vast majority of them during the 'mascletaes', and have arrested two people for crimes against public health . In addition, they have drawn up 145 reports for the use of pyrotechnic articles that do not comply with the regulations on this mandatory matter in Spain.

Since March 1, this unit has carried out a total of 21,350 services, the majority of them (19,619) commissioned by the 092 room and the rest (1,731), services that are initiated on its own initiative or in response to a citizen demand, as detailed by the City Council in a statement.

Of these interventions, 4,682 have occurred during the night shift, whose work takes on "special importance" during the Fallas, since they are in charge of controlling and inspecting public shows. Among these interventions, the 2,889 humanitarian services or the 3,653 related to citizen security stand out.

The USAP is specialized in services such as illegal street vending, prevention and citizen security, a type of services that during the Fallas festivals "multiply", according to the Local Police. Thus, the agents that make up said unit are divided into different morning, afternoon and night shifts and different units such as the Environmental Unit, the Drone Unit or the Canine Unit depend on it.

This unit has seized a total of 9,152 pyrotechnic products, of which 625 are illegal, that is, homemade devices or that do not comply with the regulations on this mandatory matter in Spain.

These products contain an explosive substance with a total weight of 83 kilos and, as a result of these seizures, 145 complaint reports have been filed. Their amount will vary depending on the amount of explosive material and other circumstances such as the place where the violation occurred.

Likewise, 2,344 units of perishable products and beverage cans, 1,351 units of jewelry, 12 speakers, 316 glasses or headbands, 195 vapers and 11 perfumes have been seized. In addition, 84 complaint reports have been issued for illegal sales of these products.

3,436 products have also been seized in 62 finds, that is, products from illegal sales that have been abandoned on public roads. In total, there are 519 perishable products, 112 bags, 227 pieces of jewelry, 1,365 pieces of textiles and 1,151 glasses or headbands.

Finally, the agents have carried out 80 interventions related to alcohol consumption on public roads and have intervened in 514 road accidents. In 223 of them there have been victims. DRUGS

In this sense, during the Fallas the UCOP has had "outstanding" work in regards to drug detection. Thus, it has made 391 reports for consumption or possession of narcotics, the "vast majority" during the 'mascletaes'. In addition, it has found 21 finds of drugs abandoned by their owners and has arrested two people for crimes against public health.

For its part, the UAD has controlled the city's airspace, especially during mass events such as the 'mascletaes' and fireworks displays. During these events they are in charge of checking the "optimal state" of the evacuation routes and the organization of the different emergency services. The unit has filed five complaints for flying drones without having the regulatory permits, four of which have been seized. VERBENAS

During the night, the members of this unit have controlled 73 festivals, in which they have filed 21 complaints for holding said event on a day other than the authorized one or for not having the sound limiter, as established by the fault party.

They have also filed 36 complaints against positions authorized by the Fallas commissions, most of them for having unauthorized musical settings.