Latest news with #PuntaBallena
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
Dangerous drug 'rampant' in Brit holiday hotspot as tourists have seizures on the streets
Laughing gas has surged back onto the party scene in Majorca, with dealers targeting tourists on Magaluf's notorious Punta Ballena strip—leaving them at risk of seizures, memory loss and even death, officials warn. Nitrous oxide—also known as hippy crack—had been in decline in the UK after a series of deaths linked to the drug. But authorities say its use is rising again in both Magaluf and the capital Palma, with discarded silver canisters now littering the streets of Playa del Carma. Jose Tirado, president of Palma's emergency services, has called for an urgent crackdown, describing the problem as 'totally out of control'. Former users have previously told the Daily Mail they would get through up to 500 canisters in a weekend, describing the high as 'more addictive than cocaine'. Side effects seen on the streets of Majorca include seizures—with users foaming at the mouth and collapsing—as well as hyperventilation and dangerous lapses in memory. The drug, which gives a short-lived feeling of relaxation and euphoria, rose to prominence in the early 2010s. Following a ban on sales in pubs and bars, dealers are now selling balloons on the street to cash in on demand. Police are allegedly cracking down on illegal vendors and ramping up investigations into the drug President Tirado warned this year could be one of the worst for tourists, with gangs operating with 'total impunity' to make up for falling visitor numbers by brazenly targeting young holidaymakers on the streets. Katie Mae, a bartender at a popular Irish pub in the city, described the drug as 'the worst of them all'. 'I'll lecture anyone I see taking it,' she told The Sun. 'I've seen the worst things from laughing gas. I've seen young lads having seizures on the streets and foaming at the mouth, but their friends are high so they do nothing to help. 'One girl I saw inhaled gas straight from the canister and it froze one side of her face. It was all cut up and she would have been scarred for life. 'But the consequences aren't talked about anywhere near enough. People don't take it seriously as a drug – but it's one of the worst.' Another British woman working the strip in San Antonio admitted she used to sell laughing gas but stopped when a customer 'nearly died'. 'He fell backwards and smashed his head on the road in the midst of a balloon high,' she recalled. 'As soon as that happened I stopped [selling it]. It really freaked me out.' According to government officials, police have ramped up their investigations, carrying out more than 20 operations between June and July into the drug. Allegedly 23 fines have been slapped on illegal vendors peddling the drug, ranging from £390 to £650. But President Tirado has said this is not enough to make a difference. 'We are tired of calling the police and they don't come,' he explained. 'In fact, they would have to go with trucks to be able to take the attempted quantities of counterfeits that they sell. 'It is inadmissible. We merchants pay our taxes and we see how the mafias take away our customers.' The San Antonio council added that they are hiring more officers and introducing private security in a bid to crack down on dealers and put an end to the epidemic. But, it admitted: 'The city council is fully aware that these are only the first steps in a broader transformation process and that there is still a long way to go.' One factor experts believe is fuelling sales abroad is the low cost, with canisters sold for under £5 along popular tourist strips. Each small canister is enough to fill a single balloon, while larger models can hold up to 80. Balloons are typically inhaled in gulps by one person or passed around a group over a short period. In the UK, figures from the Office for National Statistics show 4.2 per cent of 16-to-24-year-olds—around 250,000 people—used nitrous oxide between 2022 and 2023. While that still puts it above ketamine, LSD and ecstasy (3.8, 1.5 and 2.4 per cent respectively), it represents a 54 per cent drop from previous levels. Almost one in ten young people—8.7 per cent, or around 500,000—used the drug in 2019–20, the last year of data unaffected by the pandemic. Despite the decline, many still view nitrous oxide as harmless compared with substances such as cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy. Experts warn this is a misconception—and that recreational use of the drug is dangerous. Inhaling it can lead to dizziness, weakness in the legs and impaired memory. Roughly 40 per cent of users have reported suffering side effects such as anaemia, cognitive impairment and chronic headaches. It can even cause users to faint or suffocate due to the temporary lack of oxygen to the brain, if they inhale highly concentrated forms of the gas.
The Sun
30-07-2025
- The Sun
Laughing gas epidemic spreads to Majorca as urgent warning issued over ‘rampant' sale of party drug that scars Brits
AN epidemic of laughing gas abuse is spiralling out of control in Majorca, furious locals have warned. Dealers are flooding the island's party hotspots and leaving Brits at risk of seizures, permanent scars and even death. 7 7 7 7 The trade association Acotur says the sale of balloons filled with nitrous oxide is now 'rampant' in Magaluf's infamous Punta Ballena strip and Playa de Palma in the capital. Its president, Jose Tirado, is demanding an urgent crackdown, warning: 'It's totally out of control.' Street dealers are openly targeting tourists with balloons for a fiver a hit – sparking fears the island is going the same way as Ibiza. There, young Brits have been filmed foaming at the mouth, collapsing with seizures, and even scarred for life by the dangerous drug. Mr Tirado said: 'It is inadmissible. We merchants pay our taxes and we see how the mafias take away our customers.' He blasted officials for failing to protect businesses, warning trade has plunged 20 per cent this summer compared to last year. 'We are tired of calling the police and they don't come. In fact, they would have to go with trucks to be able to take the attempted quantities of counterfeits that they sell,' Mr Tirado explained. Police insist they are cracking down, revealing more than 20 operations have been carried out between June and July, with 50 reports filed, numerous items seized, and 23 fines slapped on illegal vendors ranging from €450 to €750. Inside Ibiza 'death hotel' on lockdown after 2 Brits die in a month… as rooftop guards watch tourists & parties banned Lucmajor council added that more than 200 fake items have been confiscated in Playa de Palma raids. But Mr Tirado says the problem has exploded since officials banned laughing gas sales in clubs and bars, pushing the trade onto the streets where gangs operate with 'total impunity'. 'We can't take it anymore,' he fumed. Seizures, scars & street chaos The crisis mirrors Ibiza's notorious San Antonio strip, where determined dealers armed with industrial-sized canisters target young Brits as 'easy prey'. Bartender Katie Mae, 21, who works at Irish pub Shenanigans, said laughing gas is 'the worst of them all.' She told The Sun: 'I'll lecture anyone I see taking it – I've seen the worst things from laughing gas. 'I've seen young lads having seizures on the street and foaming at the mouths, but their friends are high so do nothing to help. 'One girl I saw inhaled gas straight from the canister, and it froze one side of her face. It was all cut up and she would have been scarred for life.' She added: 'The consequences aren't talked about anywhere near enough. People don't take it seriously as a drug – but it's one of the worst.' 7 Another Brit working the strip admitted she once sold laughing gas until a customer 'nearly died'. She recalled: 'A young lad fell backwards and smashed his head on the road in the midst of a balloon high. As soon as that happened I stopped. It really freaked me out.' The West End of San Antonio is now littered with colourful balloon scraps, as locals despair over the chaos. Shopworker Angelica Giraldo, 40, said: 'It is everywhere now. And it causes lots of accidents. People take it while driving, but it makes them go crazy and they crash. This happens a lot.' Official crackdowns Despite laughing gas being illegal in Spain, street sellers continue to brazenly peddle it, some even using apps to warn each other when police are near. San Antonio Town Council says it is hiring ten new officers and introducing private security to tackle the scourge. 'The City Council is fully aware that these are only the first steps in a broader transformation process and that there is still a long way to go,' it said. But for locals in Majorca, patience is running thin. Mr Tirado warned: 'This tourist season is not being as good as the previous ones, so the economic problems of the merchants have worsened even more. 'In Majorca we have diesel tourists: they walk a lot and spend little.' 7
The Sun
30-06-2025
- The Sun
Brit ‘sexually assaulted' by Magaluf cab driver who abandoned her at airport & told her ‘this is how it's done in Spain'
A BRIT tourist was allegedly sexually assaulted by a cabbie in Magaluf who is said to have abandoned her at the airport. Spanish prosecutors allege the taxi driver, 28, "took advantage" of the British tourist, 33, who was reportedly drunk - before telling her "this is how it's done in Spain". 2 2 Indian-born Ranjit Singh was last night warned he faces up to three years in jail if convicted after being charged with sexually assaulting the tourist. One pal of the Brit tourists said they called for a taxi to get her back to the hotel because she had been drinking heavily in Punta Ballena, a party strip in the holiday hotspot. But the 'rogue driver' allegedly switched routes and took her to Palma airport instead after telling her to pay £42 upfront. He is then thought to have asked the Brit woman to move to the front passenger seat before allegedly touching her inappropriately. The alleged case, which reportedly took place in 2023, is now set to go to court. It is understood that public prosecutors will also demand £6,000 in compensation if Mr Singh is found guilty. A three-page pre-trial indictment submitted by public prosecutors states 'The friend told the accused where he should take her. 'A few metres into the journey, the accused stopped the vehicle and told the British woman she should pay EUROS 50 for the fare upfront and move from the back to sit beside him in the passenger seat. 'She followed his instructions, paying with a card. 'Following on from that, the accused, taking advantage of an inebriated woman who was alone in a place she didn't know, changed the agreed route and took the motorway towards the airport. 'On the way, with lascivious and lustful intent, he touched her breasts and her groin over her clothes and tried to kiss her. 'When they reached the airport, he told her to get out and said, 'This is how things are done in Spain so get used to it.'" Public prosecutors say the Brit woman has needed counselling for 'severe anxiety and depression' after going through the alleged incident. The indictment added: 'The main problem is the traumatic flashbacks.' It is not yet clear how the accused cabbie will plead when the case gets to court. A date for the trial has yet to be set. It comes after two Brits were arrested last month on suspicion of raping a teen tourist from the UK at their rented Costa del Sol villa. The 19-year-old's friends found her unconscious in a bathroom at the property in Marbella. The alleged sex attack took place after a group of young Brit women met the men - also from the UK - at a nightclub. They had agreed to go back to the villa they had rented for their holiday to continue partying. But the women found their friend 'unconscious' in the bathroom, according to local reports. She is said to have been drinking heavily before being found, and officials have not yet said if they believe her drinks could have been spiked. One of the suspects, described locally as a 23-year-old UK national, was at the scene of the alleged sex attack. Another, a 27-year-old male who is also British, was reportedly held hours later at a Marbella nightclub after cops were given a description matching his by the alleged victim.
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Taxi driver 'sexually assaulted British tourist' after picking her up in Magaluf and 'told her "this is how things are done in Spain" after kicking her out of cab'
A taxi driver 'sexually assaulted' a British holidaymaker after picking her up in Magaluf before allegedly telling her as he kicked her out of his cab: 'This is how things are done in Spain so get used to it.' A friend of the holidaymaker's hailed the taxi to help get her back to her hotel safely because she had been drinking heavily in the resort's party strip Punta Ballena. But the 'rogue driver' switched routes and took her to Palma airport instead after telling her to pay €50 (£43) upfront and getting her to move to the front passenger seat. Public prosecutors allege the 28-year-old cabbie took advantage of the fact the 33-year-old British tourist was alone and drunk to touch her on her breasts and between her legs during the ride. Indian-born Ranjit Singh was last night warned he faces up to three years in jail if convicted after being charged with sexually assaulting the tourist. Public prosecutors also want him to compensate her with €7,000 (£5,990) if he is found guilty at trial. The incident he will go to court over allegedly happened in the early hours of October 3 2023. A three-page pre-trial indictment submitted by public prosecutors states the alleged victim's friend stopped the taxi Singh was identified as driving to take her to her hotel from the Punta Ballena strip 'due to her state and to protect her.' It adds outlining the prosecution's case: 'The friend told the accused where he should take her. 'A few metres into the journey, the accused stopped the vehicle and told the British woman she should pay €50 for the fare upfront and move from the back to sit beside him in the passenger seat. 'She followed his instructions, paying with a card. 'Following on from that the accused, taking advantage of an inebriated woman who was alone in a place she didn't know, changed the agreed route and took the motorway towards the airport. 'On the way, with lascivious and lustful intent, he touched her breasts and her groin over her clothes and tried to kiss her. 'When they reached the airport he told her to get out and said: "This is how things are done in Spain so get used to it." Public prosecutors say the British tourist has needed counselling for 'severe anxiety and depression' she suffered, adding in their indictment: 'The main problem are the traumatic flashbacks.' It is not yet clear how the accused cabbie will plea when the case gets to court. A date for the trial has yet to be set.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- The Sun
Shocking moment Magaluf doorman floors Brit tourist, 25, with flurry of punches after being bottled in horror bar attack
THIS is the shocking moment a Magaluf doorman floors a British tourist with a flurry of punches after being bottled in a horror attack. The bouncer was left with a nasty gash that needed at least 20 stitches - and the Brit has been convicted over the assault at Plaza on the bustling Punta Ballena strip. 5 5 5 CCTV footage shows the Lithuanian bouncer exploding at Max Barnes, then 19, who he has up against a wall after the drinker bottled him. He unloads a series of sharp jabs in the packed nightspot, acting in self-defence. The customer dodges as many as he can but some of the blows land home. They spill over into the middle of the bar, when the bouncer delivers one more clean whack that sends the customer sprawling onto the floor. He then brings his hand to his blood-covered face and neck to inspect the damage. The 34-year-old doorman was left with a gash wound needing 20 stitches, according to public prosecutors. Prosecutors had demanded a five-year prison sentence for Barnes, now 25, who was held on an international arrest warrant after being bailed and going awol. The Brit, a teen at the time of the July 2019, claimed after his arrest by Civil Guard officers that he himself had acted in self-defence following a previous assault. But this week he was handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence after admitting the unprovoked attack as part of a plea bargain deal. Barnes, who had already paid his victim nearly £35,000 in compensation, admitted his guilt in a trial where he spoke briefly via video conference. Shocking moment UFC thug Conor McGregor pummels club reveller with TWO brutal punches in packed Ibiza nightclub The trial judges said they took into account his confession and compensation payments in their decision to keep him out of jail - as long as he doesn't re-offend. The obtained CCTV footage did not show the moment Barnes used a broken bottle to disfigure the doorman. But it did show the run-up to the attack when the Lithuanian man, in a tight white T-shirt, could be heard arguing with the Brit after telling him to leave due to misbehaviour. The Brit was held in the UK on an international arrest warrant after initially paying £13,000 bail to get out of prison and flying back home. Officials in Majorca issued the arrest order after he failed to respond to court communications. 5 5 Public prosecutors said in their pre-trial indictment they had uncovered no evidence of the previous attack Barnes had alleged took place and claimed he was defending himself against. A female British soldier was involved in another horror glass attack in a Magaluf nightclub in November 2023. Bus driver's daughter Sydney Cole was arrested when her pal, Scots-born Lance Corporal Sarah Garrity, was left in intensive care after losing four pints of blood and needing 14 stitches to a neck wound. Cole was warned initially she could be jailed for three years after being charged with a crime of wounding by Spanish state prosecutors, despite her victim's refusal to press charges. However, she ultimately escaped prison and was let off with a £780 fine. Cole, now 25, initially insisted after her arrest that Sarah was hurt in an accident. She claimed to have thrown the the glass on the floor during the fight, and said shard flew up and hit Sarah in the neck. However, she later confessed to the assault as part of a plea bargain deal.
