WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Spain
COSTA DEL SOL TAXIS USED FOR DELIVERIES FOR MAJOR DRUG RING
Police have dismantled a criminal network that used taxi drivers to transport drugs between Benalmadena and Torremolinos on Spain’s Costa del Sol. The investigation, “Operation Carroza,” revealed how the gang turned everyday cab rides into a mobile drug delivery service to move narcotics discreetly between towns. The crackdown began after police received tips about drug dealing at two homes in Arroyo de la Miel. Following five raids, officers uncovered a massive haul including 152 cannabis plants, nearly 900 grams of cocaine, ecstasy, hashish, and over €30,000 in cash. They also found a hydraulic press and cutting agents used to process the drugs for sale. Investigators believe the operation was highly organised, with one distribution hub allegedly run by a married couple selling drugs from their apartment. A taxi driver living in the same building reportedly acted as the coordinator, working with two other drivers to ferry the illegal goods to customers and other dealers. The police raids led to the arrest of 10 people and Spanish authorities confirmed the operation successfully shut down two active dealing points and a major storage hub used by the mafia-linked network.
from South Africa
FRUSTRATED TAXI OPERATORS TAKE REPAIRS INTO OWN HANDS
Fed-up taxi operators in Vanderbijlpark have started repairing their local rank themselves after waiting nearly two years for the government to fix massive potholes. Local association members used rubble to fill deep holes that they say have turned into “manholes” due to years of neglect. Association Secretary, Fred Makhalemele, said the group decided to act because their appeals to the local municipality and the provincial government have been ignored: “It’s been two years since we’ve been faced with this headache. We’ve written to the municipality, but it’s fallen on deaf ears,” he said.
PHTM MAY 2026
The potholes are costing owners a fortune in vehicle repairs. Makhalemele noted that “our taxis face mechanical issues due to these bad roads,” forcing owners to constantly replace parts like CV joints and brake pads. The poor conditions are also damaging the industry’s reputation. “We now have to deal with commuters who claim we are operating with scrap vehicles, not considering that the roads are what lead to crumbling taxis,” he added. While the operators have tried using rubble to patch the holes, heavy rains frequently wash the material away, returning the rank to its dangerous state. In response a municipal spokesperson stated that they are “busy with the potholes programme” nearby and plans to respond to other areas soon. However, for the drivers who feel “we are the ones who are suffering at the end of the day,” the official promises offer little immediate relief.
COMMUTERS STUNNED AS TAXI PLUNGES INTO MASSIVE TRENCH
A morning commute turned into a scene of chaos in Ikageng last month after a minibus taxi drove directly into a “mas- sive road cavity” at a busy intersection. The incident hap- pened around 5.30am, leaving the front half of the vehicle almost entirely swallowed by a deep, unpaved excavation. The sight of the submerged taxi quickly drew crowds of shocked residents and commuters. To recover the vehicle and stabilise the ground, authorities had to bring in heavy machinery, including a large yellow excavator, causing major traffic jams throughout the morning. Miraculously, no serious injuries were reported despite the “severity of the incident and the extensive damage to the vehicle.” However, the crash has sparked a wave of anger on social media, with locals raising concerns about the “apparent lack
adequate warning signage and protective measures’ around construction sites in the area. In response to the accident, officials have urged motorists to
“exercise heightened caution in
construction zones,” noting that road conditions remain unpredictable after recent maintenance work.
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