The National Police is investigating the alleged illegal sale of hundreds of tons of iron and scrap metal, that the Orihuela City Council has remove from squares and streets, such as lampposts, gates, street furniture, etc. and which has been sold without a contract, without being entered into the municipal accounts.

Many of the items are of a historical nature, that constitute municipal patrimony, and which have been destroyed without any administrative authorisation and without the financial proceeds being deposited into a municipal account.

The facts were denounced by the Partido Popular, which filed a complaint to determine if the matter constitutes a criminal offense. They say they are unable to verify who receives the money from the sales.

The most striking case occurred on March 17, around 1:00 p.m., when a Council vehicle transported scrap to a municipal collection site. The load consisted of a sculptural group of steel palm trees, five metal and copper sculptures that the Muher firm commissioned from the old CAM, which donated them to the council in 2008 on the occasion of the anniversary of the death of Miguel Hernández .

A PP spokesman said they are very rare pieces and could be worth a substantial sum