Else Beekman
The Guardia Civil is investigating 103 illegal constructions built on protected land in the municipalities of San Roque, Los Barrios, and Tarifa, located in the Campo de Gibraltar area. Most of these constructions are prefabricated houses used as second residences, commonly known as mobile homes.
Out of the 103 unauthorised constructions, officers located 46 within environmentally protected zones, including the boundaries of the Natural Park Los Alcornocales and del Estrecho. Additionally, 23 are built in Public Hydraulic Domain areas along the Palmones and Guadarranque rivers, posing flooding risks during heavy rainfall or river surges.
The rapid increase of these illegal settlements has led to population clusters lacking basic services such as waste management and proper access roads. Moreover, this situation affects the environment and places an unfair burden on legally established homeowners who continue to pay urban taxes for maintaining public services.
Ongoing investigations and legal implications
The investigation has involved 155 individuals linked to these unauthorised constructions. The operation was led by the Guardia Civil’s Environmental Protection Service (Seprona) and is part of a broader effort to combat illegal urban development in protected natural areas.
Regional efforts against illegal construction
The Junta de Andalucía intensified its efforts to combat illegal construction and promote sustainable urban development. Consequently, in 2024, the Guardia Civil sealed nearly 500 plots and constructions on rural land. These actions were the result of an unprecedented 2,149 inspections related to urban and construction issues, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. The Junta’s proactive approach demonstrates a clear commitment to enforcing regulations against unlawful structures on rustic land.
Operation Murus targets illegal construction in Málaga
In the province of Málaga, Seprona launched a large-scale operation against illegal construction on rural land. This operation, named ‘Murus,’ spanned the entirety of 2024 and targeted 60 suspects, including developers, contractors, and technical directors. Seprona found irregularities in towns like Antequera, Coín, Vélez-Málaga, Rincón de la Victoria and Mijas. Additionally, the environmental police service suspects these 60 persons of violating spatial planning regulations, highlighting the ongoing crackdown on unauthorised urban expansion.
Strategic importance of Campo de Gibraltar
The Campo de Gibraltar region is a strategic hub in the fight against drug trafficking. In 2025 alone, different police services have seized over 20 tonnes of hashish and six tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Algeciras. The area’s significance in international anti-narcotics operations underscores the importance of maintaining legal and environmentally responsible land use practices.