Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the National Police

• 640 kilos of chopped tobacco were seized inside a van, valued at more than 100,000 euros.

• Four grinding machines, three vacuum packaging machines, a scale and various materials necessary for tobacco smuggling were seized during a house search in the Diseminado Cristo Morroquí urbanization

July 12, 2022.- Customs Surveillance Officials of the Tax Agency in Córdoba and agents of the National Police have arrested four people in an operation against tobacco smuggling in the Córdoba town from Lucena and 640 kilos of chopped tobacco have been seized, whose value would exceed 100,000 euros.

The operation, called "Cykar-Marroqui", began last May, when investigators learned of the existence of a chalet, located on the outskirts of Lucena, where an activity of chopping tobacco leaves was being carried out to its subsequent sale to third parties through the internet through shipments by express transport companies. Furthermore, this tobacco would not be passing the proper health controls, with the added risk that this would pose to the health of potential consumers.

640 kilos of chopped tobacco inside a van

Once the property was located, investigators detected a large van leaving the property late in the afternoon on June 28. At that moment they proceeded to stop him, verifying how inside there were a large number of bags with packaged chopped tobacco. They immediately proceeded to intervene and detained the two occupants of the vehicle. The seized tobacco weighed 640 kilos, with an estimated value in the illicit market of 104,500 euros.

Inside the van, various labels from a courier company with destinations throughout the national territory were found, and therefore, alleged reception points for tobacco to be sent by the detainees.

Subsequently, an entry and search was carried out at the property, where a third person was detained, and four chopping machines, three vacuum packaging machines, a scale and various materials necessary for tobacco smuggling were seized, as well as about 30 kilos of pieces. of tobacco leaf, the raw material for the bite that would later be marketed.

After various subsequent efforts, investigators managed to determine the involvement in the events of a fourth person who was arrested days later.