Joint operation by the Tax Agency and the Civil Guard

• Two Portuguese nationals have been arrested.
• The vehicle in which the contraband tobacco was being transported was also seized.

January 19, 2023.- Officials of the Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency and agents of the Civil Guard, in a joint operation, have seized 100 kilos of tobacco mince without the regulatory seals that was transported in the boot of a vehicle and have arrested two people of Portuguese nationality related to the facts.

The investigation began at the end of the year 2022, when an action was carried out in which unsealed tobacco was seized from one of the detainees, and the corresponding report was drawn up for administrative infringement of smuggling.Following this intervention, the detainee was under investigation.

The operation took place on 12 January, when the suspect was detected in the Barriada del Gurugú neighbourhood of Badajoz driving a vehicle.

In view of indications that he might be carrying contraband tobacco, he was signalled to stop the vehicle by means of light and acoustic signals.Once the two occupants had been identified, the car was searched and searched.Upon questioning, one of the detainees stated that they were carrying 100 kilos of chopped tobacco, a fact that was confirmed by the search.

The proceedings continued at the premises of the Customs Surveillance Operational Unit of the Regional Customs and Excise Unit of the Badajoz Tax Agency, where it was confirmed by weighing that what was seized was 100 kilos of chopped tobacco.Samples were subsequently taken for analysis.

As a result, the two persons involved in the incident were arrested and the vehicle transporting the goods was seized.