A joint operation by the Tax Agency and the Guardia Civil

• Five people arrested and four more investigated
• Apprehended 1,210 kilos of tobacco and 250 packs

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

Within the framework of operation 'Boss/Poison', five people have been arrested and another four have been investigated. 1,210 kilos of tobacco and 250 packs without tax seals have been seized, and two vehicles and various computer equipment have been seized.

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

The organization acquired the tobacco leaf and proceeded to chop and manipulate it, without any hygienic and 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 collected on delivery.

As the investigation progressed, it was possible to identify the main perpetrators and locate the storage and preparation locations for the packages. The organization simulated false commercial activities, pretending to send clothing and other products, using front men as false self-employed workers.

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 cut tobacco were seized, already packaged and packaged, ready to be distributed throughout the national territory, whose market price would amount to around 193,000 euros, and two vehicles used to load the tobacco were seized.

As a result of subsequent efforts, four more people were declared under investigation.

Additionally, as a result of the investigations carried out, it was observed that those allegedly involved had deposits in checking accounts and payments by check for an amount greater than half a million euros, all linked to the shipments made.

In the different bank accounts of three of those allegedly involved, 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 verified between 2019 and 2021. In total, seven bank accounts have been blocked.

Both the arrested and investigated persons are accused of committing alleged crimes of smuggling, membership in a criminal organization, money laundering and against the Public Treasury. They have been placed at the disposal of the head of the Court of Instruction No. 3 of Seville. .

Officials from the Seville Customs Surveillance Operational Unit of the Tax Agency have participated in the action jointly with agents from the Fiscal and Border Patrol (PAFIF) and the Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation Unit (UDAIFF) of the Command of the Civil Guard of Seville. The investigation remains open, so more arrests are not ruled out.