The number of intensive car searches has increased dramatically along the Spanish-Portuguese border, according to EU sources.
Spanish Gibraltar type territories, Melilla and Ceuta have also been plagued by incidents with Guardia Officers allegedly firing rubber projectiles at Moroccan migrant sea birds.
Sources this morning reported unusually long queues at each of the 3000 checkpoints along the 8000 kilometre Portuguese border. Rigorous checks for smuggled items including leather belts, tomatoes and tobacco were reported as "very extensive" by EU monitors.
Port and sherry smuggling has increased since the repeal of the Corn Vineyard tax in 1874. Gibraltar is not subject to the stringent Strawberry and soft fruit market region controls that Banana Republic, Spain enforces.
