Offering something unique to all Island Residents and tourists in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, The Art of Life is a beautiful setting for health, relaxation and fitness.

With a stunning location within the grounds of the Hotel Playa la Arena on Calle Lajial (just off the main road in Playa Arena, this is the street that leads to the Hotel Playa la Arena entrance). You will find them on the right through the large grey metal gates, just before Syrius Hairdressers and Arena Sports.

The Art of Life Day Spa gymnasium is now being run by personal fitness trainer Billy Munday.The gym has been recently refurbished and extended, is fully air conditioned and includes a separate cardio suite with treadmills, crosstrainers, rowing machines and bikes with gorgeous sea and garden views, plus an extensive private room for fixed and free weight workouts, and abdominal exercises. Downstairs is also a light and airy fitness and dance studio which currently includes classes like Fitness Ball, Agewell aerobics, East meets West evening stretch, Tap Dancing and childrens Hip Hop/Street Dance.

The new fitness trainer Billy Munday has lived in tenerife for 7 years is a national registered personal trainer as well as a R.S.A aerobics teacher. He also has mechanical skills and will personally take on the repairs and maintenance of all the gym machinery to ensure it is in top condition for his clients.
Prior to taking over the gym recently, Billy worked at the Prince Nasim gym in Las Americas followed by a spell at the gym 2000 in Fanabe teaching aerobics. He then felt he needed a complete change of scenery and moved to our corner of the woods and has spent the last 18months working as a personal trainer at the Pancrasio Council Gym.
At The Art of Life Billy is pleased to offer a free personal one to one training session with every monthly membership, and every membership (from 1 day to 1 year) includes use of all the Hotels pools.

The Art of Life also offers an incredible range of massages, holistic therapies and spa treatments from all around the world. Including Tibetan Head Massage, Ayurvedic Massage and Shirodhara, Lomilomi from Hawaii, Refexology, Japanese Reiki and their incredible signature treatments like the Indonesian influence ‘Om Ah Hum’ and the exotic Tenerife influenced ‘Mango and Banana Leaf Wrap’.

Throughout May The Art of Life is offering a fantastic 50% discount for Island Residents on thie 25, 40 and 55min treatments ( a discount price of 15€, 19€ and 25€ respectivly). This offer is available Mon to Saturday.

The Spas opening hours have recently been increased to
8am-8pm Mon- Thurs,
9am-6pm Saturdays,
and 9am-12pm Sundays

For more information and all of the prices please have a good look at www.theartoflifeonline.com  or contact the staff directly on 922 860832.

A 53 year old local man of the Canary Island La Gomera has been arrested in connection with the fires which has affected more than 800 hectares of agricultural and low mountain land and also saw hundreds of people being evacuated from their homes on Saturday. It is thought he started the fire by accident when burning off scrub on his land in Ibo Alfaro.

The weather has improved which has helped the fire fighters control the blaze. It is hoped to be officially under control later today.

High winds and the sizzling temperatures reaching 36°C here in Los Gigantes over the weekend has made life very unpleasant. The wind had dropped by Sunday but the temperatures still remain very high for this time of the year. The blanket of dusty air still hangs over the Archipelago and could still take a day or two to disperse.

Towns and villages at a higher altitude suffered even higher temperatures and an unbearable 45°C was reported at Guia de Isora.

Reports have been coming in about a massive fire on La Gomera which started on Saturday. Fire crews were ferried from Tenerife and soldiers were flown in from the mainland to help fight the fires.

Over 1000 locals have been evacuated in Hermigua and Vallehermoso. Homes have been destroyed and many animals have been killed in the blaze. 700 hectares of woodland and hillside have already been destroyed.

Fire fighters have been using water-dropping aircraft and helicopters desperately trying to prevent the flames from reaching Garajonay National Park, which is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its laurel forests and other ecological features.

One of the fire fronts was believed to have been sparked by uncovered electric cables in windy weather. A man living in the locality of Hermigua was detained on charges of lighting another front by burning stubble.

Canarian president Paulino Rivero is travelling to the island this morning to oversee the fire fighting operation.

Thomsonfly is now offering winter holiday flights from nine UK airports including Gatwick and Manchester.

Thomsonfly claims to offer the most comprehensive range of flights from UK airports to winter sun favorite the Canary Islands, with flights starting from £54.99 one way.

“As well as offering great low fares and service options including pre-booked seating and quality, hot meals, Thomsonfly provides customers with convenience and flexibility by flying to many exciting destinations from their local airport. This is why Thomsonfly was voted ‘the consumers’ favorite leisure airline’ at the 2007 British Travel Awards,” says Thomsonfly commercial director, Guy Stephenson.

Flights from Gatwick airport go to Malaga, Alicante, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Paphos, Salzburg and Funchal. From Manchester airport Thomsonfly flies to Malaga, Alicante, Salzburg, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Paphos, Lanzarote, Marrakech and Funchal.

During the winter season the airline will also be offering flights from East Midlands airport to Alicante, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.

The other UK airports included in Thomsonfly’s winter flights programme include Coventry, Doncaster, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Newcastle and Luton.

Check it out www.thomsomfly.com  

It’s hot, dusty and very windy in Los Gigantes today with temperatures expected in the 30’s and the latest from the met office is that it could continue into next week.

The Cabildo has issued a total ban on BBQ’s in all the forest picnic areas and motorists are requested to keep to the main roads and not off road their vehicles until the weather gets back to normal.

Health authority advice is to drink lots of water and when out doors keep exercise to the minimum and people with respiratory problems should stay indoors.

See for yourself on the losgigantes.com web cam http://www.losgigantes.com/webcam/webcam.html  

The Lions Club organised a Prostate Cancer awareness scheme last year, which proved to be a huge success and a great benefit to the community.

Statistics show that one in three men over 50yrs will develop prostate cancer, but it can develop at any age.

In many cases there are no symptoms or warning, in others, frequent visits to the toilet, especially through the night or an intermittent stream should give cause for concern.

The results of more than 100 tests proved to be very similar to that in Europe, where 18-20% of patients tested needed to be recalled for further tests, and in some cases the gland surgically removed.

Because of the success of last years scheme The Lions are arranging a second batch of testing for 1 month commencing Mon 5th May run in conjunction with Dr Speaficos International Medical Centre in Los Cristianos, who are giving their expertise and time free. There will be a €20 charge to cover analysis costs. Any further ongoing treatment will be at the patients cost.

It is important to go to the clinic between 9.30 and 12.00 Mon – Fri for the blood test. Results take 1 week. You can phone for the result, then collect an official written result showing your PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) level.

If the level is high, further testing is needed. Early diagnosis is important. If there is no cure then at least you can extend the quality of your life.

You need to take your NIE or passport with you. A few medical questions will be asked – the staff speak English.

Call for an appointment on 922 790563 remember to say the Lions sent you to qualify for the reduced cost.

The clinic is on the rear part of the Hiper Trebol complex (Edif Simon) in Los Crisianos

If you need further advice you can call Mary on the Lions Helpline 607435267

Batten down the hatches and switch on the aircon as the Canary Islands are in for a sweltering week-end with temperatures well into the 30s, according to the Met Office.

This morning at 11am the temperature at Reina Sofia Airport was reading 34° and the blanket of dusty air is gradually creeping towards Los Gigantes.

Yesterday saw the warmest day of the year so far in many parts as a mass of warm desert air (calima) hung over the Islands.

Forecasters predict more of the same until at least Sunday, particularly in southern areas.

Several islands have placed forest fire brigades on stand-by in case the dry air and high temperatures trigger blazes.

People with asthma and other respiratory ailments have been advised to stay out of the sun and keep windows closed to prevent dust from worsening their condition.

The only woman competitor in the fifth regional Canarian Chef of the Year competition, at the Tenerife Showground in Santa Cruz, beat all her male rivals to lift the award.

Laura Nieto, who is originally from Galicia but has lived in Tenerife for eight years, was the outright winner of the 2-day event and picked up her award and €1500 prize money from the Cabildo’s vicepresident José Manuel Bermúdez.

For the compulsory round the entrants had to prepared unusual dishes and to make it more interesting, they had to include vine leaves.

The dishes are judged on presentation as well as taste, and the entrants are judged on technical ability, creativity, technique and organisation

Laura is chef at the Anthelia Hotel in Costa Adeje. Runner-up was Germán Blanco from Lanzarote.

For many years now there has been much speculating about the plans for the construction of a multi-purpose port at Fonsalía, between Playa San Juan and Alcalá on our west coast of Tenerife.

Draft plans for the €177 million project, covering an area of 27,000m, have now been announced by the Canarian government. They include four large quays for commercial vessels and inter-island ferries, docking facilities for cruise liners and a sports marina with berths for 463 boats.

The initial plans have been in the pipeline for some time now, and a lot of consideration has been given as to how to build the new section of the island ring road, between the Adeje roundabout and Guia de Isora, which has to include a connection running down to Fonsalía to cope with the increased amount of commercial and tourist traffic the port will bring.

Coalición Canaria spokesperson for Guía de Isora council, Jesús Morales said the project represented a unique opportunity for economic development in the municipality and would be taking a great deal of ferry traffic from Los Cristianos.

Guia de Isora Mayor, Pedro Martín, said he was delighted by the economic boom the project would bring to the area but there were still many obstacles to overcome, such as how to access the tiny village of Fonsalía and the environmental concerns of the people living there. Consideration of the environmental impact on the area was a priority.

The Tenerife Cabildo has announced that plans for a tunnel to link La Orotava with the other side of Tenerife are not a realistic prospect for at least 10 years.

Speculation has grown over the recent months that an enormous project to build the tunnel was about to be announced.

The corporation insists that the tunnel will not be even be in the first stages of planning until other projects such as the train from Santa Cruz to Playa de Las Américas are completed.

(23.4.08)
It was announced earlier this week by the President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Ricardo Melchior that there are plans for two new direct flights between Tenerife and Senegal and Tenerife and the Cape Verde Islands.

Yesterday the President announced there are also plans in the pipeline, which are expected to be announced next weeks, for a direct air link from Tenerife to Miami.

Once the flights are running there will no longer be a need for Tenerife residents to travel to any of the three destinations via Madrid or London.

(23.4.08)
The Canarian Health Service telephone appointments system failed yet again yesterday (22nd April) causing chaos.

Callers to the CHS number (012) were unable to get through to book an appointment with their GP or with a specialist.

The crash affected the entire system and was caused by a computer failure, which also prevented medical staff from consulting patient records ahead of the day’s appointments.

Tenerife was worst hit by the server breakdown, although scores of health centres in Gran Canaria were also badly affected.

The Health Service said that a back-up system had partially remedied the problem but disruption was inevitable.

(22.4.08)
Environmental lobby group Ben Magec complained that there was no access for cars to the beach at Abama Hotel complex. There is no turning point and no parking, which makes it out of bounds to the public.

On investigating the complaint, The department of Coastas decided there is public access to the beach because the Abama Hotel lays on a shuttle bus to ferry people to and from the beach.

A spokesman for the Department of Coasts said all beaches in Spain are public beaches and Abama is no exception.

He also said there was even a large sign pointing out the road, which gives public access, and if any people were denied access, they should complain formally.

(22.4.08)
The Canarian Department of Tourism has announced that tourism has increased by more than five per cent this quarter, compared to the same period last year, and declares the Canaries top Spanish tourist destination with 2.7 million foreign visitors.

Together, in March, the islands hosted over 1 million foreign visitors, which is a 3.8% increase on March 2007

The minister for Tourism, Rita Martín, is delighted with the first quarter’s results but emphasised the importance of continuous improvements of products and infrastructure available in the Canary Islands.

The islands saw an 80% increase in visitors from Poland in March, followed by the Swiss, 50% up and Austrians, up almost 20%.

Figure announced by The Canarian Department of Tourism

Tenerife, 370,180 tourists in March. 2,638 more than 2007
Gran Canaria had 306,924 visitors in March, up by 21,709 on last year.
Lanzarote had 169,065 over the same period, 5% more than 2007.
In Fuerteventura there was an increase of almost 3%, 142,042 people,
La Palma 14,596 visitors in March, up a disappointing 0.5% on 2007.

Sector leaders have warned, however, that the bumper figures should be treated with caution given that they are not comparable to previous years because Easter fell unusually early this year.

(21.4.08)
Price falls of between 2% and 6% have been seen, especially in the South.

Value It, the Santa Ursula based publisher of The Tenerife Property Price Guide, today releases the results of its survey of Tenerife property prices, showing falls in prices for the three regions of Tenerife, (the South and South East, the North, and the Metropolitan region).

During the last six months, property prices have fallen by 3,48% in the South and South East (from Candelaria around the coast to Santiago del Teide). In the North, prices have fallen the least, by 2,64%, and in the Metropolitan region (Santa Cruz, La Laguna, El Rosario and Tegueste) prices have fallen by 3,27%. When general inflation is taken into account (2,1% over the last six months) the real falls are 5.6% in the South, 4,7% in the North and 5,4% in the Metropolitan region.

John Gardner of Value It commented: “These are averages for these regions, and are based upon a survey of 6250 properties for sale. Within each region there have been greater falls in some areas and for certain property types, and a few areas are level with inflation or still seeing prices rise.

Puerto de la Cruz has seen falls below the average for example, while the falls in Adeje are consistent with the southern region as a whole. The answer for people looking to buy in Tenerife is thorough research and knowing the pricing trends in the areas and for the property types. There is no substitute if you want to buy well and protect your investment. For those thinking of selling they can work out what would be a good or competitive price to ensure that they attract serious buyers”.

(21.4.08)
Details have been released by the Government to honour an election promise which gives a €400 tax rebate to every tax payer in Spain.

The plan will give a financial boost to families struggling with higher mortgage payments as well as the ever increasing cost of living.

Tax payers, pensioners and employees, will pay €200 less in July and over the following 6 months will receive the remaining €200 in monthly payments.

People who do not earn enough to pay tax will receive the sum as a credit.

Self employed people will receive the rebate over 3 instalments. A €200 reduction in their retentions in July, plus 2 €100 payments, one in October the second in December.

(21.4.08)
Once again construction work on the new main square in Santa Cruz has been delayed.

The local Cabildo admitted that the deadline of 30th April has had to be put back yet again, after more delays in the completion of the project.

The Cabildo, back in February, announced that the renovation of the Plaza de España would be finished by 17 March, although it immediately rectified and changed the date to 30 April.

It now looks as if the square, which has a giant lake in the middle, will not be opened to the public until late June or early July.

The corporation has also admitted a cost overrun of €4 million, 25% of the original cost.

(21.4.08)
Los Cristianos bay will be bracing itself for the arrival of a fleet of bulldozers if the collective might of the authorities gets its way – and all the signs are that it will.

Last week Arona’s mayor, José Alberto González Reverón said: “The expropriation of property in this area and its subsequent demolition are necessary steps to total recuperation.”

It is no secret that the town council has been involved in many meetings with Costas and the regional government with a view to establishing the precise framework within which the restoration of the bay can be achieved.

The estimated budget for the compulsory purchase of affected properties is in the region of €35 million.

“We understand the position of the owners, but we are asking an effort to be made to transform Los Cristianos into a truly first class tourist destination,” said the mayor. “The compensation we will offer will be fair and dignified.”

The total number of doomed properties are “eight or nine”, he said, “although we recognize that some of the buildings contain many apartments in which case a large number of people will be affected.”

The plan is to give the land recovered over to public space and a promenade.

(21.4.08)
€21 million will be invested by the Canarian Department of Employment and Industry to create jobs for the unemployed in social and community projects.

Over 300 local council projects will benefit from the investment. The scheme aims to get as many people as possible off the dole and create permanent job opportunities.

This article has been printed at the request of the The Tenerife Sun – They apologise to their readers as the date given in the paper for the memorial service is not correct.

ONE of the founders of the west coast’s Los Gigantes will be remembered at a
memorial service in the centre of the village on THURSDAY April 24th. 12.00 (NOT SUNDAY as printed in The Tenerife sun).

William Clifford Morgan died, aged 91, at a nursing home near his birthplace of Haverford West, South Wales, on February 15.

His daughter, Jane Fenton-May, arranged the noon memorial service at the
Espiritu Santo Church, LosGigantes, for his many friends and admirers to recognise the prominent part he played in the development of the popular holiday resort.

Clifford, as he was known, came to live permanently in Los Gigantes with his second wife, Tricia, on his retirement in 1981.

They had holidayed there together for many years before that and, on settling in the emerging village, Clifford threw his considerable energies into its development.

He was president of the residents’ association when the mayor of Santiago del Teide,
unprepared and under-resourced for the influx of foreign residents, delegated authority to them to develop key municipal services out of their own pockets.

For his leadership during this time Clifford was honoured on his 80th birthday by being presented with a key to the municipality.

A linguist with a scientific bent that he exploited to the full throughout his army career, he was also a keen animal lover and one of the prime movers in development
of the village’s Friends of the Animals charity.

Physically fitter than many 20years younger, he was regularly seen walking his beloved boxer, Becky, after Tricia’s death from cancer in 1991, and continued to take a keen interest in the preservation of Los Gigantes as a peaceful holiday and residential centre.

With German neighbours he fought all the way to the Madrid High Court in 2000 to have a Scandinavian-owned apart hotel returned to its original use as a block of individual apartments.

Sadly, Clifford’s once keen intellect became impaired in his early 80s and his daughter brought him back to her home in Pembrokeshire, where he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2003.

But his memory lives on in the minds and affections of many older residents in Los Gigantes and the little church is expected to be filled for the memorial service to be conducted by Fr Keith Gordon.

After the service open house has been declared at the nearby CK’s Restaurant for Clifford’s many friends and admirers to exchange memories of his life and exploits.

Note from Dolly Diver.
It’s sad to print the news of another very respected member of the community passing away. I remember Clifford very well for the time I spent with him as a volunteer of Friends of the Animals, and Paul has many good memories of the times Clifford spend assisting in the work of the Lions – Santiago del Teide Branch.
Condolences to his family from the losgigantes.com team

One of the most loved memorable residents of Los Gigantes, Olive Nock died on 5th April in London, aged 93.

Most of us remember her as “Lady Olive” always beautifully dressed, never a hair out of place and with her boundless energy was always the life and soul of the party.

So respected was she in the local community that the now closed Dickens bar in Los Gigantes always reserved her a seat beneath a plaque with her name on it.

Another of her favourite haunts was the Green Corner. They will be closed between 1 and 2pm today, as a mark of respect as she is cremated in West London.

Olive left Tenerife 2 years ago to live nearer her son and grandchildren and has been sorely missed by all her good friends.

The family will be coming to Tenerife at the end of this month to hold a memorial service at the Church in Los Gigantes.

Condolences to her family from the losgigantes.com team

Two men were caught red handed and arrested yesterday as they tried to burgle a shop near the Barranco del Infierno.

The pair, thought to be brothers who live locally, were detained after a neighbour reported hearing noise in the shop in the early hours of the morning.

The shop had been broken into on several previous occasions. Police are questioning the two men in connection with a number break-ins that have been reported recently in hotels, homes and business premises in the area.

Ex Mayoress, Elizabeth Warren, aged 66yrs, from Shropshire died after being hit by a taxi while on holiday in Las Americas with her husband.

Today her husband, former Machynlleth councillor and mayor Ivan Warren, from Shrewsbury, praised hospital staff for trying to save his wife, describing the care she received as “absolutely superb”.

Mr Warren, 68 said: “We were on holiday in Tenerife and “We were due to meet up for a meal but Elizabeth was struck by a taxi on a pedestrian crossing at about 5.45pm on April 6. She died from head injuries on April 11.”

Angry protests from local taxi drivers has resulted in the Cabildo denying permission for the majority of the 48 bus stops planned for the new Aero bus service.

The taxi drivers were up in arms as the loss of business would seriously threaten the livelihood of the 300 families who depended on the income from airport transfers.

The new service, which commenced last Saturday, operates between the Reina Sofia airport through Los Cristianos, Las Americas ending at La Caleta. The cost is only €5 per person. The idea had hoped to boost tourism by significantly cutting holiday costs for tourists.

The Aero bus is now only allowed 7 stops, the entrance of La Caletta, C.C. El Duque, Costa Adeje, Avenida Chayofita, Av. Gómez Cuesta and the main bus terminal in Las Americas before heading directly to Los Cristianos and the main bus stop outside the Apollo Centre.

Some declare the service is now as much use as a chocolate fire guard and it’s ludicrous to turn down an opportunity to cut holiday costs when there is so much competition in the tourist industry.

The “Acantilado de Los Gigantes”, fourth annual underwater photographic competition dates are scheduled for June 28 to July 6 2008.

The amazing volcanic rock formations, caves, tunnels and arches plus the amazing diversity of marine live in the Los Gigantes area make it an ideal location for the competition.

The competition organiser is Antonio from the Los Gigantes Marina Diving Centre together with the Balfin association, assisted by Neville’s facilities from the English centre Los Gigantes Diving Centre.

The competition is sponsored by the local council, with the collaboration of the Tenerife Cabildo, with a view to promoting the area’s beautiful natural environment.

During the week long competition the underwater photographers will put together a portfolio of their best 10 photographs from 5 dives.

There is €10,000 in prize money, plus a special award, sponsored by El Corte Inglés for the best photo collection, which carries a prize of €600 worth of vouchers to spend in their store in Santa Cruz.

The entry fee is €200 including the 5 dives.
For more information contact:-

Antonio - Los Gigantes Marina Diving Centre (SPANISH) Tel 922 868002
Nev or Andy – Los Gigantes Diving Centre (ENGLISH) Tel 922 860431

www.fotosubtenerife.com

Photographer with stingray - Los Gigantes

Photo from video footage by Dolly Diver

A memorial service was held over the weekend for a PADI - BSAC dive centre owner, Philippe Kloos and his dive buddy and customer José Luis Santamaría Ría, a Guardia Civil Sergeant who disappeared and are presumed dead after a tragic scuba diving accident on March 20th off Palm Mar near Punta Rasca.

Phillippe Kloos,(picture) a Belgian national living in Arona, is a BSAC dive leader and PADI staff instructor who owned and managed Coral Sub Dive Centre, a PADI 5-Star Gold Palm IDC resort and BSAC Dive Centre.

The buddy pair went missing at about 10am on March 20 while scuba diving with eight other divers on a Coral Sub boat diving trip from the port of Las Galletas.

The other divers called for help and authorities immediately launched a massive air and sea search, but there is no trace of the buddy pair.

A head teacher has been sacked. She was seen flying to Tenerife after calling in sick and has been found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

Lesley Tidy missed a training day at Thackley Primary School, Bradford, on Friday, February 17, 2006.

Staff were “up in arms” after the teacher from Leeds said she was ill but was seen by a colleague at the airport, a General Teaching Council conduct committee sitting in Birmingham heard.

Judy Moorhouse, Chairwoman said: “Ms Tidy, in her role as leader of the school community, should have led by example at all times. Since she was fit enough to travel to Tenerife she was certainly fit enough to attend school”.

Ms Tidy was given a conditional registration order, which requires her to successfully complete a leadership course before being a head teacher again.

Furious Taxi drivers have made official complaints to the councils in Arona and Granadilla over a new Titsa bus service, which transports passengers from the south airport to their hotels. However, it is the Tenerife Cabildo who is responsible for approving the new service.

The new Aerobús service 488 runs every 45 mins, or more often during peak times, and operates through Los Cristianos and Las Americas, and ends at La Caleta for only €5 per person – one way.

Leaflets showing a map of the route and stopping points will be handed out in the airport. On board the busses will be tourist information about other routes to Los Gigantes, Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz, Teide National Park and Masca, and several other places of interest.

According to a firm of Spanish lawyers many thousands of Brits who sold a Spanish property, before last year, could be entitled to a large Capital Gains Tax refund.

Property owners who were non resident were charged a much higher rate of Capital Gains Tax than Spanish nationals.

The higher tax band contravened EU law, according to The European Commission ruling. Spain has been forced to back down and amend the tax laws so that everyone is treated equally.

Sellers of property before the law was amended paid 35% Capital Gains rather than the normal 15%.

HiFX, currency specialists, estimate that those affected would be entitled to an average of £8,300. However, with interest added, from when the tax was paid, that sum could be in the region of £11,000.

A Playa de Las Americas bar has been closed down and the owner arrested after a raid by police investigating drug dealing in the resort.

The Italian owner had been reported by local residents on several occasions for allegedly allowing the popular bar to be used for dealing.

Plain-clothed officers carried out a surveillance operation in the bar and outside the premises to gather enough evidence against the owner.

During the raids a small amount of cocaine and 5000 euros were seized.

Several other men detained also were in possession of cocaine. A police spokesman said the arrests and closure were part of a wide plan to remove drugs from night spots in the resort.