Informative note
TOBAX project
"The Department of Customs and Excise (DAIIEE) complements its non-intrusive inspection strategy with the deployment of the project "TOBAX - Tobacco detection using manual X-ray backscatter devices."
TOBAX has been funded by the HERCULE program (https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/policy/about-hercule-programmes_en) of the European Union and has become a pioneering project in Spain due to its operating model.
The AEAT, in its search for new solutions to detect illicit traffic, has launched two manual non-intrusive inspection teams by backscatter, being the first institution in the country to propose its use and obtain the corresponding authorization from the Nuclear Safety Council. .
The manual devices have been delivered to the ports of Algeciras and Barcelona and will be included in the integration plan for non-intrusive inspection devices of the CESCAN, (Scanner Image Viewing Room) at the DAIIEE.
In the near future, two more devices of these characteristics are expected to be launched for the customs of Bilbao and Vigo. These four teams will have the capacity to complement the actions carried out by the three Medusa vans that are currently operational, since when they cannot inspect remote places of light vehicles, the manual teams will be able to carry out said inspections.
It is also expected to obtain good results in its use in pleasure boats to detect illicit traffic behind the bulkheads without having to dismantle them, with the consequent economic savings in the event that illegal substances are not transported and time on the part of the officials involved in the inspection of this type of vessels on the high seas.