Ibiza Uses Foreign Spooks To Infiltrate Parties Violating COVID Rules

Authorities on the Spanish holiday island of Ibiza are using foreign spies to infiltrate illegal parties where coronavirus rules and other laws might be broken, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

Photo Insert: Ibiza beach front

"The project started a few days ago and is initially scheduled to run until the end of August, but could be extended," a spokesperson for the island's government, Armando Tur, told dpa on Friday. The authorities, in consultation with the local police, have hired a detective company, which in turn has hired numerous freelancers.

These undercover agents are mainly "foreigners between the ages of 30 and 40 with medium to high purchasing power because these are the main characteristics of those attending such events," Tur explained.

The illegal parties sometimes have entrance fees of more than 100 euros (118 dollars). In some cases, more than 500 guests attend.

There are good reasons for the unusual methods authorities are taking. Police do not have enough personnel and in any case, illegal parties almost always take place in private apartments or houses.

In Spain, the police are not allowed to force their way into private property simply because a party is taking place. Recently Ibiza and the other Balearic Islands had the highest coronavirus rates in Spain. The seven-day incidence rate per 100,000 people is currently 226.

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