British tourists have been warned about illegal taxis in Ibiza as the authorities launch a crackdown against taxi drivers operating under the influence of drugs.
The Inspection Service of the Department of Transport of the Council of Ibiza, along with the local police forces of the municipalities of Ibiza and Santa Eulària, carried out a joint operation early this morning.
This operation is part of the Council’s Inspection Plan aimed at detecting illegal taxis and controlling VTCs (Vehicles for hire with driver) – and Brits should try and ensure when they are getting into taxis that they are properly licenced.
From 4.30am to 7.30am, five inspectors from the council and extensive police units from the two involved municipalities set up three control points around a well-known nightclub in Ibiza.
According to Roberto Algaba, the island’s Director of Transport who was present during the operation, this initiative not only served to detect and sanction violators but also to deter those attempting to find customers outside the nightclub.
Algaba stated that this deployment has a strong deterrent component against those who wish to operate outside the law, demonstrating their firm stance against illegal transport activities.
From the inspections conducted by the council service, a total of 35 vehicles were inspected, and four drivers were reported for illegal passenger transport, resulting in total fines amounting to 22,004 euros.
The operation in Ibiza resulted in seven drivers being reported for operating as a transport service without the necessary license.
All cars were immobilized by the Local Police of Ibiza and taken to the municipal impound lot. The fine for each is 6,000 euros (£5,121).
Additionally, six out of these seven drivers tested positive for drugs, and one driver did not even have a driver’s license.
Rubén Sousa, Public Transport Councilor of Ibiza’s capital, who was also present at the operation said: “The City Council of Ibiza is firmly committed to fighting unfair competition, acting decisively and forcefully against this scourge.
“Therefore, we have joined the common front driven by the Council of Ibiza to act more coordinated and efficiently against illegal transport.
“From the Public Transport Department, we want to ensure that rules are followed and reduce unfair competition in the transport sector. The support of the Local Police is crucial to achieve this.”
At the control point located in Santa Eulària, 15 vehicles were inspected, none of which were found engaging in illegal activities.
Juan Carlos Roselló, head of Citizen Security for Santa Eulària’s City Council, stated that “collaboration between municipalities and the council is necessary and fundamental to combine efforts against illegal activities and make progress in combating intrusion.”
Additionally, a taxi from Sant Josep was fined for violating loading and unloading regulations. All affected customers were relocated to legal taxis.