Spanish police motorway roadblock

[mikebeaches]

We were travelling on the A1 E5 motorway, probably about 70 or 80 miles north of Madrid this morning, heading for Bilbao. The traffic was generally light and flowing well.

All of a sudden notice it was slowing down and queues forming. Cones out and blue lights ahead. Assumed there had been an accident.

After crawling for five minutes or so, came to a chicane where we had to slow to walking pace. Large number of police selecting vehicles to stop and search, using dogs, right on the carriageway! There was a coach stopped with its luggage holds open, and a few cars with their boots open.

We were waved through - must have looked innocent.

No idea if it was a random, routine stop and search, or if they were looking for something or someone in particular?

But surprised to find a checkpoint in the middle of a Spanish motorway. Never seen anything like it in the UK. Would expect to get waved off the highway, not just block the whole road.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

We did get caught up in a similar roadblock on the motorway (AP15?) heading east towards Pamplona a couple of years ago - never sussed out what it was about.

 

[klaatu]

That’s it, I’m avoiding Spain on my way to France from now on.

 

[pappajohn]

Who knows how the Spanish mind works.

This country will do all they can to keep traffic moving.
It seems nothing is inconvenient to them.

 

[emjaiuk]

A few years back French customs were prolific on Autoroutes. A couple of times we've been waved down by motorbikes and escorted to next aire for a search.

Malcolm

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[JockandRita]

Not on the Autopeage, but on the main drag outside Camping Benidorm, Rita and I (on our bikes) were overtaken by several police vehicles and motorcycles, only to see them a few seconds later fending off and positioning to create a road block, (just like that) whereupon they were checking the documents of randomly selected drivers.

Jock.

 

[Burgo]

Fairly common occurance down here, especially on and around the 340 coast road. Often supported by a couple of chaps with stinger chains and usually a helicopter up above. They won't tell you officially what they're after, but everyone knows down here it's usually either cocaine or hashish, though why they don't just buy it like everyone else does I don't know.

 

[grasscutter]

Got pulled over at a french toll booth somewhere near Roen heading north about four years ago. Had to vacate the van and they sent in a springer spaniel to search the van.
Funny thing was it wanted to play with our funster bear

 

[quickweh]

Same here, on A23 north of Teruel, 11th March, coach parked next to crash barrier, coned off completely to force traffic up slip road so that trucks could be checked, 20 + Guarda Civil, one woman being escorted into the coach under arrest, 2 sets of stingers ready to be deployed and a few heavily armed heavies just to be sure. Don't muck about these guys

 

[gus-lopez]

We were travelling on the A1 E5 motorway, probably about 70 or 80 miles north of Madrid this morning, heading for Bilbao. The traffic was generally light and flowing well.

All of a sudden notice it was slowing down and queues forming. Cones out and blue lights ahead. Assumed there had been an accident.

After crawling for five minutes or so, came to a chicane where we had to slow to walking pace. Large number of police selecting vehicles to stop and search, using dogs, right on the carriageway! There was a coach stopped with its luggage holds open, and a few cars with their boots open.

We were waved through - must have looked innocent.

No idea if it was a random, routine stop and search, or if they were looking for something or someone in particular?

But surprised to find a checkpoint in the middle of a Spanish motorway. Never seen anything like it in the UK. Would expect to get waved off the highway, not just block the whole road.

Yes it happens occasionally on the A7/E15 down here . Used to be a favourite up near Alhama as there was a picnic area they'd stop you before & haul everyone through a chicane.
It works well if they have specific info as you are trapped . Last one I saw netted 3 Eta terrorists .
Been changed into the "Sierra Espuña" service area/fuel station both sides now.
Also common on the dual carriageways into town here on & off.
Bit unnerving when you've a Policía National with an auto shotgun
& the Moroccan in front is reversing at you at speed
They often double up with the Guardia so have bikes as well to catch any runners.

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[olley]

A few years ago got stopped just inside France after coming from Spain, "English?" Yes, "f off" well that's what it sounded like, so we did.

 

[jollyrodger]

They're possibly looking for stashed away A frames
.
.
.
.
.
.


.
.
.
.& knock out Gas

 

[EuroTrotters]

We were travelling on the A1 E5 motorway, probably about 70 or 80 miles north of Madrid this morning, heading for Bilbao. The traffic was generally light and flowing well.

All of a sudden notice it was slowing down and queues forming. Cones out and blue lights ahead. Assumed there had been an accident.

After crawling for five minutes or so, came to a chicane where we had to slow to walking pace. Large number of police selecting vehicles to stop and search, using dogs, right on the carriageway! There was a coach stopped with its luggage holds open, and a few cars with their boots open.

We were waved through - must have looked innocent.

No idea if it was a random, routine stop and search, or if they were looking for something or someone in particular?

But surprised to find a checkpoint in the middle of a Spanish motorway. Never seen anything like it in the UK. Would expect to get waved off the highway, not just block the whole road.

How long was the Queue?

We don't need the Police here in the UK.

Though I would be very happy for them to stop anyone, including myself. A survey said that almost 80% of Drivers In Manchester were illegal in some respect.

Anyway, back to road blocks...

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/the-a555-was-to-be-a6-m-too-much-rain.193838/

 

[PeteH]

It was a "normal" feature of many Spanish Roads, especially near the coast, back in the 90`s and later. The "scuttlebutt" was that they where trying to catch drug and people smugglers, and pick up illegals. They where even more frequent after a spate of alleged "Basque Separatist" bombings too as I recall. They would suddenly put up a road block for an hour or so and then move somewhere else, repeating the process throughout the day, one day we got stopped twice in different locations about 2 hours apart!.

 

[buttons]

Two Benidorm sea front bars were on lock down when we were walking by last year at around midday. They kept everyone in their seats while they searched every part of the bar before searching the customers individually. Carted a couple away in handcuffs. I was amazed at the size if the police presents. Cars vans bikes guns and around 50 on foot.

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[mikebeaches]

How long was the Queue?

About 5 to 10 minutes.

It was in the middle of nowhere, with no pull-offs, lay-bys, service area or exit. Just used the carriageway for doing the searches.

 

[sciac2001]

I for one approve of these random stop-&-checks. They contain to a large extent drunks, druggies, the uninsured, smugglers, terrorists and criminals.
They tend to concentrate on Spanish registered vehicles.

 

[TerryL]

Anyone wonder what they'll do with British tourists after March 29th............................?

 

[sciac2001]

The odd one will target us but I reckon that spot checking the locals will be more of a priority.

 

[JockandRita]

Two Benidorm sea front bars were on lock down when we were walking by last year at around midday. They kept everyone in their seats while they searched every part of the bar before searching the customers individually. Carted a couple away in handcuffs. I was amazed at the size if the police presents. Cars vans bikes guns and around 50 on foot.

I don't suppose The Heartbreaker Bar was one of them buttons? It appears to have a dodgy reputation, as do many others apparently.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[buttons]

I don't suppose The Heartbreaker Bar was one of them buttons? It appears to have a dodgy reputation, as do many others apparently.

Cheers,

Jock.

Not sure JandR but we were walking from Port Benidorm hotel along the front up to the old town so could have been one of many. I did hear someone saying it was a bit of a dive....

 

[Dorwyn]

At one point I noticed that there were groups of police stopping drivers on turn-offs or pull-offs. It seems a bit more reasonable than blocking whole motorways. Then I started to worry - what was that about not having the green paper 2nd part? Luckily we made it through. Just France to contend with now.

The road surface on the AP4 north to Madrid was atrocious. Worst motorway ever, I thought.

 

[rosalan]

This could not happen on the UK motorways, for if we are to believe some of the statistics bandied about, 20% of motorists in some areas are not insured or have other penalising problems. The number of cars taken off the road could form a giant car park.