Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the National Police together with the Portuguese Maritime Police

• More than 400 kilos of elvers caught illegally in the Miño River were seized without the required licenses and permits.
• Two people were arrested in Pontevedra and two entries and searches were carried out where nearly 77,000 euros were seized, while in Portugal nine entries and searches were carried out, eleven people were charged and six vehicles were seized.

March 16, 2023.- Officials from the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency, in a joint operation with the National Police and the Maritime Police of Portugal and the Attached Unit of Galicia, have dismantled an international criminal organization allegedly dedicated to trafficking in protected species. 400 kilos of elvers have been seized and two people have been detained in Pontevedra in addition to two entries and searches, with the collaboration of veterinarians from the Coast Guard Service of the Xunta de Galicia, where nearly 77,000 euros have been seized. In addition, in Portugal nine entries and searches have been carried out, eleven people have been charged and six vehicles have been seized.

The main members of this organization were in Portugal, with branches in Spain, and were dedicated to the acquisition, storage, distribution and even export of elvers caught illegally in the Miño River without the corresponding permits and licenses.

After collecting sufficient evidence, the investigators decided to exploit the operation in both countries, making use of the different international police coordination and collaboration mechanisms.

In Spain, two entries and searches were carried out and two people were arrested in Pontevedra. The agents seized almost 77,000 euros and 400 kilos of elvers that were at the disposal of the court under two European investigation orders from Portugal and processed through Eurojust.

In Portugal, the Maritime Police, in addition to participating in the actions carried out in Spain, carried out nine entries and searches and charged another eleven people as members of the alleged international criminal organization. Six vehicles were also seized.

All those arrested are charged with alleged crimes of trafficking in protected species, document falsification, VAT fraud and possible smuggling violations.