Sant Josep's Local Police used its new aerial drone system to help locate 17 migrants in the Cap des Falcó area on Wednesday night, September 23, following the reported arrival of a small boat on the municipality's coastline.

The alert was received at around 21:50 through the SEIB 112 emergency service, prompting the Local Police to activate a search operation on the ground.

The department's drone units were then deployed to provide an aerial view of the area and support the officers carrying out the search.

Drones assist the search operation

The aerial system gave officers a broader view of the coastal terrain, helping them locate the 17 people after the boat's reported arrival.

The drones operated alongside officers on the ground rather than replacing the search teams.

Once the group was located, Local Police officers identified and attended to the 17 people in coordination with the Guardia Civil.

The group was subsequently placed at the disposal of the National Police, which is responsible for handling matters relating to their entry into Spanish territory.

A new tool for Sant Josep emergency operations

The operation provides another example of how Sant Josep's newly established aerial surveillance system is being used in practical situations.

The municipality recently introduced an aerial drone network integrated with the Local Police, with autonomous stations positioned around the municipality.

The system was designed to support police operations and emergency responses, including searches for people, accidents, fires, environmental incidents and other situations requiring an aerial view.

Six autonomous drone stations

Sant Josep's new system comprises six autonomous drone patrols operating from fixed stations around the municipality.

The drones can take off, land and recharge at their stations, while operations are coordinated through a central control system at the Local Police headquarters.

The municipality has said the system is designed to provide wider operational coverage and allow officers to obtain information more quickly when responding to incidents.

From traffic monitoring to search operations

The drone network has already been used for several types of police activity since its introduction.

Earlier operations included monitoring traffic offences and supporting action against illegal parties.

The Cap des Falcó search demonstrates another intended use: helping officers locate people in difficult or extensive terrain.

The aerial perspective can complement officers working on the ground, particularly in coastal areas where access can be difficult.

Coordination between police forces

The response at Cap des Falcó involved cooperation between Sant Josep Local Police and the Guardia Civil.

After the 17 people were located, the Local Police and Guardia Civil coordinated their identification and immediate assistance.

The National Police subsequently took responsibility for the administrative procedures concerning their entry into Spain.

The different responsibilities reflect the involvement of several public security services in this type of operation.

Part of a wider night of arrivals

The 17 people located at Cap des Falcó were one of three separate groups involving Ibiza and Formentera during the night of September 23.

Two other boats were intercepted or rescued south of Formentera, carrying 18 and 20 people respectively.

In total, 55 people were involved in the three incidents, according to the authorities' reported figures.

The Cap des Falcó operation was the only one of the three to take place on land in Ibiza.

Technology used in a real search

The Sant Josep operation shows one of the practical purposes behind the municipality's investment in aerial surveillance.

Rather than simply monitoring roads and public spaces, the system can also be deployed when officers need to locate people quickly over a larger area.

At Cap des Falcó, the drones provided an aerial perspective while officers searched the terrain below.

Sant Josep expands its technological policing system

The drone network forms part of a broader technological programme being developed by Sant Josep.

Alongside the aerial patrols, the municipality has introduced additional surveillance and traffic-monitoring infrastructure, including cameras at several junctions and other locations.

The stated objective is to improve the information available to police and allow faster coordination during incidents.

What happened at Cap des Falcó

The sequence of events on Wednesday night was straightforward.

At around 21:50, the emergency services received an alert concerning a boat arriving in the Cap des Falcó area.

Sant Josep Local Police activated a ground search and deployed its drones.

The aerial support helped officers locate 17 people in the area.

They were then identified and attended to by Local Police officers in coordination with the Guardia Civil before being placed at the disposal of the National Police.

The operation ended with all 17 people located.

A new role for Ibiza's police drones

Sant Josep's drone system was introduced only recently, making the Cap des Falcó operation an early example of its use in a real search involving people.

For the municipality, the technology adds an additional tool for locating people and supporting emergency and security operations across a geographically dispersed area.

The drones' role in this case was to provide aerial support to officers on the ground, helping them locate the group more efficiently.