One of the great things about drugs is that the market is necesarily monopolised by criminals. That is the effect of criminalising something for which there is an established and steady market.

Little surpirse then, when the criminals start acting as such.

The latest drug gang war to erupt, was this week on the idyllic party island of Ibiza in the Mediterranean.

According to reports, two carloads of men opened fire on each other in close proximity to a swathe of tourists. Three people were taken to hospital, one with serious chest injuries.

The suspected reason for the shootout between the British gangs on the Spanish controlled island, is the issue of drug dealing territory. On an island that is synonomous with partying, clubbing and drugs, the drug trade is extremely lucrative. Having control of certain territories would be sure to return a premium to the “owners” of that turf. Thus the motive for potential violence is established.

The interesting thing in this case is that the gangs are foreign, as are the majority of their customers – a point that may have saved them until now.

With the onset of a potential drug gang war and the eagle eye of the international media now firmly turned to the small island (which coincidentally brings in a bucket load of tourist dollars) it remains to be seen how the Spanish police will react.

With a potential threat to the tourist industry looming, things may not be looking good for the gangs involved.