Operation against tobacco smuggling

• Two people have been arrested
• 1,351 kilos of chopped tobacco seized

December 19, 2022.- Customs Surveillance officials of the Tax Agency have dismantled a tobacco packaging and manufacturing center located in a warehouse in the municipality of La Rinconada, Seville.

The operation, called 'Corner', began last November when agents of the Customs Surveillance Operational Unit of Seville detected the activity of a group of individuals who were presumably engaged in tobacco processing in a warehouse in the town of La Rinconada.

The modus operandi consisted of preparing large batches of cut tobacco in packages of different sizes to subsequently distribute them throughout the country through courier companies.

Thus, on December 12, a surveillance device was established which resulted in the interception of a van loaded with contraband tobacco leaving the warehouse. The same was subsequently inspected and more packages prepared for distribution were found.

As a result of the Customs Surveillance action, 1,351 kilos of chopped tobacco were seized and two individuals were arrested for an alleged crime of smuggling.

Both the seized items and the detainees have been placed at the disposal of the on-duty Court of Instruction in Seville.

The investigation is still ongoing, so more arrests are not ruled out in the coming days.