A joint operation by the Tax Agency and the Guardia Civil

• Five people arrested and four more investigated
• 1,210 kilos of chopped tobacco and 250 packets seized

December 9, 2022.- Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency and agents from the Civil Guard have proceeded to dismantle a family-run organization dedicated to the smuggling of chopped tobacco that was sent from different points in the province of Seville to all of Spain through parcel companies.

Five people have been arrested and four others investigated as part of Operation 'Patron/Poison'. 1,210 kilos of chopped tobacco and 250 packets without tax seals have been seized, and two vehicles and various computer equipment have been confiscated.

The investigation began in March of this year, when a batch of cut tobacco was detected destined for different parts of Spain and originating in Écija (Seville) that was sent by courier companies.

The organisation acquired tobacco leaves and proceeded to chop and manipulate them, without any hygienic or sanitary control, in places that lacked adequate facilities. Once chopped, the tobacco was vacuum-packed in heat-sealed bags of different sizes, between one and twenty-five kilos depending on the order, which were sent in boxes and paid for by cash on delivery.

As the investigation progressed, the main perpetrators were identified and the storage and preparation locations of the packages were located. The organization simulated false commercial activities, pretending to send clothes and other products, relying on front men as false freelancers.

Thus, on November 15, a police operation was carried out, which culminated in three searches in the town of Écija (Seville) and the arrest of five people. 1,210 kilos of tobacco cuts were seized, already packaged and wrapped, ready to be distributed throughout the country, with a market value of approximately 193,000 euros, and two vehicles used to load the tobacco were seized.

As a result of the subsequent actions, four more people were declared as suspects.

Additionally, as a result of the investigations carried out, it was observed that the alleged suspects had deposits in current accounts and cheque payments for an amount of more than half a million euros, all linked to the shipments made.

In the different bank accounts of three of the alleged suspects, two of them alleged front men and another who was the owner of one of the companies, movements of more than three million euros have been found between 2019 and 2021. In total, seven bank accounts have been blocked.

Both the arrested and those under investigation are accused of alleged crimes of smuggling, membership in a criminal organization, money laundering and against the Public Treasury, and have been placed at the disposal of the judge of the Investigative Court No. 3 of Seville.

Officials from the Customs Surveillance Operational Unit of Seville of the Tax Agency participated in the operation together with agents from the Fiscal and Border Patrol (PAFIF) and the Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation Unit (UDAIFF) of the Civil Guard Command of Seville. The investigation is still open, so further arrests cannot be ruled out.