The Guardia Civil has detained and started paperwork to fine a British man for causing "serious damage" inside a cave that is part of the San Blas Environmental Reserve, located in San Miguel de Abona, in the south of Tenerife.
The man in question, a British resident in Tenerife, was squatting in the cave at night but caused damage to one of the walls by lighting a fire inside it and then digging in several areas that are protected and known for being archaeological sites.
Staff at the San Blas hotel complex alerted the Guardia Civil to the presence of the man after seeing the fire from the hotel.
Agents from the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) have inspected the site and verified the damages allegedly caused by the man, who has been detained in custody by the Guardia Civil. They have now filed three different sanctions against him for serious violations of three different laws, carrying different levels of fines.
Very serious: Fine from 100,001 euros to 3,500,000 euros, except if it involves hazardous waste or contaminated soils, in which case the fine will be from 600,001 euros to 3,500,000 euros.
Serious: Fine from 2,001 euros to 100,000 euros except if it involves hazardous waste or contaminated soils, in which case the fine will be from 20,001 euros to 600,000 euros.
Minor: They will be punished with a fine of up to 2,000 euros. If it is hazardous waste or contaminated soil, this will be up to 20,000 euros.
Very serious: with fines from 150,001 to 600,000 euros
Serious: with a fine from 6,001 to 150,000 euros
Minor: with a fine from 600 to 6,000 euros.
Very serious: fine of 150,001 to 600,000 euros.
Serious: fine of 6,001 to 150,000 euros
Minor: fine of 60 to 6,000 euros.
