• Three arrested for their alleged participation in the events

• The first of the actions involved the dismantling of a clandestine stinging center

February 19, 2024.- The Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency has carried out two consecutive operations in which 419 kilos of tobacco and 5,170 packs of tobacco have been seized in the province of Seville. Three people have been arrested for their alleged participation in the events.

The first of the operations consisted of the dismantling of a clandestine tobacco grinding center in the Sevillian town of Los Palacios and Villafranca.

The operation, called 'Semilla', began in January, when agents from the Seville Operational Unit detected suspicious movements of several individuals in a warehouse in the Seville municipality.

As the investigations progressed, it was possible to identify those allegedly responsible for the events investigated, who regularly attended the chopping center.

On February 7, a device was established to intercept these individuals, resulting in the seizure of 384 kilos of chopped tobacco, already packaged and ready for sale in one kilo bags, as well as all the machinery necessary for the manufacturing of the merchandise. Two arrests were made.

The investigation remains open, so it is not ruled out that new arrests will occur in the coming days.

Operational in Utrera

The second operation has been carried out in two phases, within the so-called 'Dominic' operation.

The first phase took place two days later, on February 9. As a result of the surveillance carried out on an individual residing in Utrera, it was detected that he was driving a vehicle. As there were well-founded suspicions that he could be transporting illicit goods, he was stopped and the tourism was searched, where a total of 2,350 packs of tobacco were found, for which the corresponding administrative infraction was processed.

After continuing with the investigations and surveillance of the same individual, on February 12, the second phase of the operation was carried out, when he was intercepted driving another vehicle in which he was transporting 1,360 packs. Immediately afterwards, a search was carried out at his home, which he used as a warehouse, and another 1,460 packs of tobacco were seized; Likewise, 35 kilos of tobacco and various machinery for the manufacture and processing of tobacco were seized.

The total balance of operation 'Dominic' has been the seizure of 5,170 packs of tobacco and 35 kilos of tobacco. Furthermore, the individual responsible for the smuggling has been arrested for the alleged commission of a continuing crime of smuggling.

All the detainees and the items seized in the two operations have been placed at the disposal of the Utrera Court, on guard duty.