Brought to you by Shine Design

Hiker Airlifted From Ponoig Mountain After Injury During Descent

 

Polop de la Marina / 8 June 2026

 

A 40-year-old woman was rescued by helicopter after suffering an ankle injury while descending from the summit of Ponoig Mountain in Polop de la Marina, prompting a major emergency response by specialist mountain rescue teams.

 

The incident occurred on Sunday morning when the hiker reportedly sprained her ankle approximately 400 metres below the summit of Ponoig, one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Marina Baixa region of Alicante Province.

 

Emergency services received the alert at 10:38am, triggering the deployment of the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium's Special Rescue Group (GER) alongside a rescue helicopter. The woman was unable to continue her descent due to the injury and required specialist assistance in difficult mountainous terrain.

 

Rescue personnel located the injured hiker and carried out an on-site assessment before immobilising her ankle with a splint. Due to the location and nature of the injury, crews determined that an aerial evacuation was the safest option.

 

Specialist rescuers then used a helicopter winch operation to lift the woman from the mountainside before transporting her to the helipad in Finestrat, where medical teams were waiting to provide further treatment.

 

The rescue operation concluded at 12:48pm, just over two hours after emergency services were first alerted.

 

Ponoig, often referred to as the "Sleeping Lion" because of its distinctive profile, rises more than 1,100 metres above sea level and is considered one of the most challenging and rewarding climbs in the Marina Baixa. The mountain attracts thousands of walkers and outdoor enthusiasts each year thanks to its spectacular views across the Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Altea and the Mediterranean coastline.

 

Mountain rescue teams regularly remind hikers to wear appropriate footwear, carry sufficient water and carefully assess weather conditions before setting out, particularly during the warmer summer months when dehydration and injuries can increase the risk of emergencies.

 

The incident highlights the important role played by specialist rescue crews across Alicante Province, where emergency services frequently respond to incidents involving hikers, climbers and outdoor enthusiasts navigating the region's mountainous terrain.

 

The woman is understood to have suffered injuries consistent with an ankle sprain and was transferred to medical professionals for further assessment following the rescue.

Major Cannabis Farm Uncovered in Costa Blanca Property as Police Arrest Two

 

Polop de la Marina  3 April 2026

 

A large-scale indoor cannabis plantation has been dismantled in Polop de la Marina following a joint operation by the Spanish National Police and local officers.

 

The raid, carried out at a detached residential property, led to the arrest of two men aged 29 and 45 on suspicion of drug trafficking and electricity fraud.

 

Significant Drug Seizure

During the search, officers uncovered a fully equipped indoor growing operation and seized:

• 39 kilograms of marijuana buds
• 11 kilograms of hashish
• 526 cannabis plants
• Around 200 litres of acetone, believed to be used in drug processing
• A complete cultivation infrastructure including lighting, ventilation and irrigation systems
• A vehicle linked to the operation

 

Investigators described the setup as highly organised, with the suspects allegedly responsible for the cultivation, maintenance and distribution logistics of the drugs.

 

Neighbour Complaints Trigger Investigation

The operation began after residents raised concerns about a strong and persistent smell of cannabis coming from the property. Acting on these reports, officers from the judicial police unit based in nearby Benidorm carried out surveillance, confirming suspicious activity at the address.

Police say this highlights the continued importance of public cooperation in identifying illegal drug operations.

 

Electricity Fraud and Safety Risks

Authorities also confirmed that the property had been connected illegally to the electricity grid. Such setups are commonly used to power high-intensity grow operations, which require constant lighting, ventilation and temperature control.

Police warn that illegal connections not only constitute fraud but also pose serious fire and safety risks to neighbouring properties.

 

Part of a Wider Crackdown

The case reflects a broader trend across Spain’s Mediterranean coast, where law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to dismantle industrial-scale cannabis farms, often located in residential homes or rural villas.

 

The suspects have been placed before a court in Villajoyosa, and further investigations remain ongoing.

 

A spokesperson for the National Police reiterated that reports from the public remain a key tool in tackling organised drug production networks.