Ship with £375m cocaine cargo is seized

Police have smashed a London-based drugs gang after a ship carrying a record £375 million of cocaine was seized off the Spanish coast.

Spanish police boarded the 150ft former coastguard vessel, named Destiny Empress, yesterday after it crossed the Atlantic from the West Indies. Armed officers swooped on the boat with support from the Spanish Navy.

The raid was co-ordinated by Scotland Yard's Central Task Force with support from the Spanish police and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Beyer said the cocaine haul was the biggest the Met had ever seized. He added that the drugs were destined for London and the seizure would have an effect on the price of cocaine in the coming months.

"We target the people at a higher level. We want to catch people who import the drugs in large amounts and we have made a huge dent in that," Mr Beyer said.

The gang was linked to a network stretching between London, Spain, the Caribbean and Colombia. The vessel, which had been tracked across the Atlantic from Trinidad, was carrying at least 1.5 tonnes of cocaine.

Its crew was arrested and other arrests have taken place in London.

Source:thisislondon.co.uk/

Costa del Sol holiday parks - animals & birds

There are many animal parks to be found the whole length of the Costa del Sol. They offer a great way to spend time, and get close to some of the most fascinating animals that inhabit the world we live in.

ALMUNECAR – Tropical Bird Park
Loro Sexi tropical bird park was opened in 1987 and is now home to thousands of birds including swans, parrots, ducks, pigeons, macaws and even ostriches. During the summer, the park holds parrot shows throughout the day, a firm favourite with the kids, and there is also a cactus garden to explore.

ANTEQUERA – Lobo Wolf Park
Lobo Wolf Park in Antequera is a unique nature experience and study park situated in the heart of Andalucia. The park has four large enclosures with European wolves, Timber wolves, rare white Alaska Tundra wolves and Iberian Wolves. It is also possible to take a riding tour on noble Andalucia horses around the park to enjoy the wonderful landscape.

BENALMADENA – Garden of Eagles
The Garden of Eagles is clearly signposted and can be found at the Jardin de Las Aguilas in Benalmadena. It is open all year, but only in the afternoons. Altogether, there are over 160 birds of prey with displays held throughout the day by expert handlers. There is also a miniature castle and reptile sanctuary to explore.

BENALMADENA – Sea Life
Both the young and old will enjoy a day spent at Sea Life. The underwater passage is a great way to experience some of the more exotic Mediterranean aquatic life including sharks, rays, eels and much more. Sea Life offers some good information on our under-water world, and the opportunity to get close to some really fascinating creatures. There are regular feeding sessions throughout the day, popular with both children and adults alike.

ESTEPONA – SELWO Animal Park
SELWO Adventure Park in Estepona covers more than 100 hectares and is home to more than 2,000 roaming animals. The park is split into zones featuring different animals, with much to see on foot. There is a large lagoon populated with exotic birds including flamingos, and a huge enclosure where 40 different species of birds live freely. The park features animals from all over the world in enclosures that have been recreated to reflect their natural habitats. There are also many shows, classes and exhibitions to keep all the family interested throughout the day.

FUENGIROLA – Zoo
Situated in the middle of Fuengirola city, the zoo can be difficult to locate, but once found, it offers an excellent opportunity to see some wonderful animals in nicely designed habitats. There is plenty to see including lions, alligators, the monkey enclosure and some wonderful aquatic life. Many animals come to life around feeding time, and there is a play enclosure for the children too.

NERJA – Donkey Sanctuary
Nerja Donkey Sanctuary is situated at the western edge of Nerja, where donkeys, ponies, mules, horses, cats & dogs all have a home. The Donkey Sanctuary is free and welcomes all visitors young and old to come and enjoy some time spend with these wonderful animals. All the donkeys have either been rescued or donated to the sanctuary and are now well looked after by volunteers and anyone who wants to lend a hand.

TORREMOLINOS – Crocodile Park
In Torremolinos Crocodile Park you will find yourself in front of prehistoric monsters. These carnivores have miraculously survived 200 million years of evolution, having existed since the time of the dinosaurs. Lose yourself at the wonder at these gigantic crocodiles by silently walking beside them, observing the secrets of one of the most fascinating creatures of our world.

Costa del Sol animal parks, zoos and aviaries offer a great opportunity for our children to see some of the wonderful animals who co-exist with us in this world that we live in. Sometimes, this is the closest people get to seeing some animals that may disappear out of existence within our lifetime, as a result of our changing world. Children love to see animals and birds, and maybe some will be inspired enough to help save some of our wonderful wildlife disappearing from our world.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Cheap Flight To Spain

Cheap Flight To Spain: The Must-See Places in Spain

Visiting Spain provides many opportunities for visitors and tourists. Since the country is blessed with so many landmarks, travelers could not just leave without taking a leg to the must see places there are in Spain. Madrid is a paradise for art lovers. Explore the city’s three superb art museums. The Prado has one of the most remarkable art collections in the world. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia focuses on modern art and is where Picasso’s famous Guernica is on display. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is one of the most important private collections of western painting in the world. Discover Madrid’s Royal Palace, which dates from the mid-18th century and has more than 20 rooms open to the public. Enjoy the atmosphere in the area around Puerta del Sol, the heart of the city, and on Madrid's most historic and popular square, the Plaza Mayor.

Alcalá de Henares, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the birthplace of the writer Miguel de Cervantes and the English queen Catherine of Aragon is indeed a must see place in Spain. The main points of interest are the university, founded in the 16th century by Cardinal Cisneros, and the oldest surviving public theatre in Europe - as important to Spain as Shakespeare's Globe is to England. Absorb the lively atmosphere of Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city. A major commercial and industrial centre, it is graced by several of Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterworks, the most famous being the still incomplete church of the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family). Visit the Barri Gótic (Gothic quarter), where the buildings date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Highlights include the Seu (old cathedral), the Episcopal Palace, the Palau de la Generalitat and the Plaça del Rei. Frank Gehry’s marvellous Guggenheim Museum has turned Bilbao, the main city of the Basque region, into a very successful tourist destination.

Check out the newest tourist attraction in Valencia, Santiago Calatrava's City of Arts and Science Park. The Hemispheric, an amazing glass structure, houses a planetarium, IMAX dome and laserium, and the Palace of Arts boasts the largest oceanarium in Europe. While in Valencia, visit the cathedral. It claims possession of the Holy Grail. The Fallas (Mar 15-19) is a major festival culminating in the burning of papier-mâché effigies satirising famous Spanish figures and a magnificent fireworks display. To the south of Madrid is the ancient Spanish capital of Toledo. The city is dominated by the magnificent cathedral and Alcazar. Toledo is justly proud of its collection of paintings by El Greco, who lived and painted here. Go and see his most famous painting, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, which is preserved in the Santo Tomé Church. There are more El Grecos as well as works by Goya and other artists in the Hospital y Museo de Santa Cruz, a magnificent Renaissance building with a Plateresque façade. Superbly situated on a plain overlooked by the Sierra de Gredos.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com