Police made a dramatic arrest on the Costa del Sol after spotting a wanted man during routine duties. Officers from Estepona Local Police detained the suspect this week at the entrance to Playa del Cristo beach, right by an exclusive beach club access road. Patrol members noticed two men of North African origin entering a vehicle previously flagged to authorities. They carried out identity checks to process an administrative report on the vehicle.

International warrant leads to detention

Investigators soon discovered that one occupant faced an international search order from Belgium, together with an arrest warrant. The man had successfully evaded capture since July last year and had been in hiding in Estepona. Belgian authorities were looking for him over alleged offences connected to terrorism and crimes against individuals. Officers took him into custody immediately Malaga Hoy reports.

National Police later confirmed to reporters that the individual remained subject to a return decision, with Belgium as the requesting authority for those specific charges.

Companion questioned but released

Checks on the second man revealed prior police references possibly tied to terrorism matters. Authorities found no active warrant or judicial order against him, so they released the individual without charges.

Additional items were found in the vehicle

A search of the car uncovered documents belonging to a third party, including a Spanish national identity card and an accreditation for reduced mobility. When questioned, both occupants denied knowledge of how the papers ended up in their possession. One man said he planned to travel to Morocco and had entered Spain via Tarifa around four or five days earlier.

Ongoing enquiries continue

Officers handed the seized documents and case details to competent services for further examination. Meanwhile, the detained fugitive moved to National Police station, where they are more equipped to deal with serious criminals. Procedures now are going forward according to the Belgian arrest warrant.

This incident draws attention to continued cross-border efforts against terrorism suspects on Spain’s Costa del Sol. Local forces maintain vigilance in popular coastal areas frequented by international visitors and residents. Cooperation between Spanish and European authorities plays a key role in such operations, helping track individuals wanted abroad.

Estepona will get a prehistoric invasion this summer as the world-renowned Dino Expo XXL unrolls its massive exhibition in Estepona. Billed as the world’s most-visited dinosaur exhibition, the touring phenomenon will transform the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos into a roaring, breathing jurassic world from June 27 until September 13, 2026.

What to expect at Dino Expo XXL in Estepona

Spanning a whopping 5,000 square metres, the fully air-conditioned indoor exhibition features around 120 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Families can walk among towering replicas that move, breathe, and roar, offering a glimpse into a world that vanished millions of years ago.

As an added bonus for history enthusiasts, the event includes a dedicated “Giants of the Ice Age” section. This specialized zone showcases meticulous replicas of prehistoric mammals, including woolly mammoths, cave bears, rhinos, and saber-toothed tigers. The exhibition has already drawn in over 3 million visitors across 250 cities globally.

Essential visitor information, dates, hours, and ticket prices

For those planning a family day out, the exhibition is open daily throughout its summer run. To help visitors avoid the peak afternoon heat, the event operates on a split daily schedule from 10am to 2pm and reopening in the evening from 7pm to 11pm.

An average visit lasts approximately two hours, and the entire venue is fully wheelchair accessible. On-site amenities include a dedicated kids’ zone, a snack bar, and a souvenir shop. Ample surface parking is available directly outside the Palacio de Congresos venue.

Tickets are priced at €12 for adults and €10 for children with toddlers under 24 months able to enter free of charge. Tickets can be purchased directly at the venue box office with no administrative fees, or booked online in advance via the official website Interactive highlights for families and group bookings

The event has several interactive zones designed specifically for younger palaeontologists. Children can get hands-on in dedicated sandboxes to excavate hidden fossils, climb aboard specialized dinosaur replicas for photo opportunities, and interact with digital drawing displays.