Informative note

"The Customs and Excise Duties Department (DAIIEE) complements its non-intrusive inspection strategy with the deployment of the TOBAX- Detection of tobacco using manual X-ray backscatter devices."

TOBAX has been financed by the European Union's HERCULE programme (https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/policy/about-hercule-programmes_en) and has become a pioneering project in Spain thanks to its operational model.

In its search for new solutions for the detection of illicit traffic, the Tax Agency has launched two manual non-intrusive inspection teams due to backdispersion, the first institution in the country to propose its use and obtain the corresponding authorisation from the Nuclear Security Council.

Manual devices have been delivered to the ports of Algeciras and Barcelona and will be included in the integration plan of non-intrusive inspection devices of CESCAN (Scanner Image Vision Room) in the DAIIEE.

Two more devices of this nature are expected to be launched for Bilbao and Vigo customs in the coming days. 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 locations for light vehicles, the manual teams may carry out these inspections.

It is also expected to obtain good results in its use in recreational vessels to detect illicit trafficking behind the mamparos without the need for assemble them, with the consequent economic savings in the event that no illegal and time-transporting substances are carried by the officials involved in the inspection of this type of craft in Altamar.