About the gassing: Around six years ago, after a spate of gassings all over the Costa Blanca, a gang of Albanians were arrested at El Altet, the town near the Airport. The gas they used was found on their premises, it came from military sources in their home country It had happened to a friend of mine and I went with him to identify property that had been stolen from his house.

The gas had been sprayed through an open window at night and knocked out his wife, him, their adult son and three dogs. The thieves took their time and loaded his possessions into his car parked outside. The empty car was found on the way to the airport.

When we spoke to the Guardia Civil officers, they said that the Albanians had admitted far more crimes than had been reported.