Spanish raids on 'mafia' net 28

The Costa del Sol has become a magnet for criminal gangs

Spanish police have arrested 28 suspects in a fresh crackdown on alleged criminal gangs from the former Soviet Union.

The interior ministry said more than 400 police officers took part in raids across a wide area, including the Costa del Sol, Barcelona and Alicante.

Alleged mafia groups from Georgia were especially targeted.

The suspects detained at the weekend are accused of money-laundering and other fraudulent activities.

Police raided 41 villas and offices, blocked more than 800 bank accounts and seized cars and cash, the ministry said.

A similar crackdown was carried out in March, when Spanish police said they had smashed a massive international money-laundering ring centred on the southern coastal resort of Marbella.

The Costa del Sol, a coastal strip including Marbella and the city of Malaga, has long played host to a number of international criminal gangs, earning the nickname "Costa del Crime".