The Civil Guard of Tarragona, as part of its duties to detect illegal activities related to the management of hazardous waste, located an illegal workshop in the urban area of Campredó, inside the ground floor of a house where they were engaged in the repair and maintenance of motor vehicles irregularly.
Inside the workshop, several motor vehicles were found being repaired, as well as industrial machinery, spare parts, and specific tools related to the mentioned activity. The acting agents verified that the owner of the workshop lacked the mandatory Municipal Activity License and was not registered in the Industrial Safety Register. As a result of the inspection, they issued acts of denunciation for administrative infractions of illegal activity and industrial safety.
The denunciations were forwarded to the competent authorities in each of the areas, such as the City Council of Tortosa and the Department of Business and Labor of the Government of Catalonia. The SEPRONA of the Civil Guard of Tarragona has been carrying out campaigns for the control of mechanical workshops, as they are facilities that can cause damage to the environment or pose risks to people or property by altering the sanitary conditions due to the lack of recycling of waste products.
These types of illegal activities also represent unfair competition against legal competitors in the market who comply with the rules of this sector, promoting the development of an „underground“ economic activity, which entails, among other things, non-payment of taxes, workers without protection, both in terms of their labor rights and physical safety, as well as generating serious harm to society as a whole. On the other hand, road safety is put at risk by carrying out repairs without quality control and guarantee of the work performed.
It is crucial to highlight the role that citizens play in choosing where to take their vehicle for repair or maintenance, as legal establishments carry out their activities respecting the environment, provide more guarantee in the work performed, and operate within the bounds of the law.
In conclusion, it is essential for authorities to continue monitoring and cracking down on illegal workshops to ensure the safety of the environment, individuals, and society as a whole. Citizens also have a responsibility to support legal businesses and contribute to a fair and safe marketplace. By working together, we can prevent the negative impacts of illegal activities and promote a sustainable and lawful economy.