• The passenger lacked health and customs documentation proving possession of the medications

October 31, 2025. Customs officials from the Tax Agency, together with agents of the Civil Guard belonging to the Fiscal and Border Section of the Tenerife North-Ciudad de La Laguna airport, have seized a total of 20,477 doses of different medicines from the checked luggage of a 77-year-old passenger, resident of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, who was about to take a flight to Madrid connecting with another flight to a end-use in a country outside the European Union.

The medications were distributed among the passenger's five checked bags and were detected by Civil Guard officers using radioscopy. The passenger lacked health and customs documentation to justify his possession, far exceeding the maximum amount allowed per person.

In the case of transporting medicines within and outside the European Union for use/consumption by passengers during their outbound, stay and return journey, it is recommended to carry the medicines in their original packaging, where the product name is visible and accompanied by the prescription or medical certificate. Additionally, it is advisable to contact the embassy or consulate of the destination country to confirm the entry requirements for medicines. 

The responsible use of medicines following the corresponding health controls, as well as their sale, transport and distribution without traceability and control by the health authorities, can lead to serious health problems, as well as non-compliance with the specific regulations that govern this matter and which could lead to administrative or criminal penalties.

The medicines have been made available to the Customs Administrator of the Tenerife North-Ciudad de La Laguna airport.