Spain will set up a network of radar, sensors and cameras along its south coast in a bid to intercept thousands of illegal immigrants who try to enter the country each year, the government said this evening.
The project, said to be the first of its kind in Europe, involves spending €142 million euros to protect the 110 kms of coast closest to Morocco.
Over the next two years technicians will set up a combination of fixed and mobile sensors with radar and day and night vision cameras with a range of up to 20 km.
The Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Morocco is only 14 km across at its narrowest point.
"The system will allow not only effective control of our maritime border in detecting illegal human traffickers, but will also be an efficient tool in the fight against smuggling, organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering," a government statement said.