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POLICE in Spain have arrested 18 people for selling filthy mojitos riddled with E.coli bacteria to unsuspecting tourists on the beaches.

The cocktails contained "green powders of an unknown composition which were thrown into the drink" and other ingredients which were stored in SEWERS or rubbish bins.

Cops in Barcelona have arrested 18 bar vendors for selling E.coli-riddled mojitos
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Cops in Barcelona have arrested 18 bar vendors for selling E.coli-riddled mojitosCredit: Alamy

Public health officials say the mojitos were totally unsuitable for public consumption and could have caused diarrhea, gastroenteritis and other digestive disorders.

Raids were carried out on the beaches along the popular Barcelona coast that were packed with holidaymakers of all nationalities, including Brits.

The green dust is currently being examined in labs but police say everyone who drunk one of these mojitos was put at serious risk.

The 18 people arrested are suspected of making the cocktails and then selling them, usually for between five and ten euros.

The mojitos were made with suspicious ingredients hidden in bins including a mysterious green power
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The mojitos were made with suspicious ingredients hidden in bins including a mysterious green powerCredit: Getty - Contributor
The drinks are sold to unsuspecting tourists on Spanish beaches who think they have come from local bars
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The drinks are sold to unsuspecting tourists on Spanish beaches who think they have come from local barsCredit: Facebook/Igubapp
Police officers open drain covers to reveal the secret stashes hidden inside
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Police officers open drain covers to reveal the secret stashes hidden insideCredit: Facebook/Igubapp
The inside of a filthy drain where the drink ingredients were being stored before being removed by cops
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The inside of a filthy drain where the drink ingredients were being stored before being removed by copsCredit: Facebook/Igubapp
Almost all the drains on one particular street were filled with supplies
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Almost all the drains on one particular street were filled with suppliesCredit: Facebook/Igubapp
Spain's police officers are now cracking down on the illegal trade which can leave holidaymakers very sick
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Spain's police officers are now cracking down on the illegal trade which can leave holidaymakers very sickCredit: Facebook/Igubapp
Bottles, towels, straws, ice and glasses were stored underground in putrid conditions
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Bottles, towels, straws, ice and glasses were stored underground in putrid conditionsCredit: Facebook/Igubapp

They are of Pakistani and Indian nationality and one of them, a woman, of Romanian nationality.

The ingredients, including fruit, were put in unsealed plastic bags and cans without lids and then hidden in rubbish containers and sewers in a bid to avoid detection from beach patrol agents.

The raids were carried out mostly in the district of Barceloneta, along the beach and its surroundings.

A police spokesman said: "In these inspections, it was observed that the material and the ingredients for the elaboration of the mojitos were kept in the breakwaters of the beaches and in containers of rubbish and public sewer nearby.

Cocktails are knocked up in side streets, the backs of cars and even in toilets using water not meant for drinking
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Cocktails are knocked up in side streets, the backs of cars and even in toilets using water not meant for drinkingCredit: Facebook/Igubapp
The drinks are half the price of those sold at official beach-front bars in upmarket Barcelona
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The drinks are half the price of those sold at official beach-front bars in upmarket BarcelonaCredit: Facebook/Igubapp
Vendors flog drinks like Sex on the Beach and Pina Colada to tourists – telling them they are from nearby bars
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Vendors flog drinks like Sex on the Beach and Pina Colada to tourists – telling them they are from nearby barsCredit: Facebook/Igubapp

"There were no hygiene or sanitary controls and there was a very high risk of contamination of the drink offered to the public for sale and consumption."

All suspicious substances including ice, unknown green dust and mint leaves have been sent to the Department of Chemistry and Environment for analysis.

Samples have already confirmed the presence of E. coli.

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