New blow to drug trafficking. In 2009, the Tax Agency maintains the investigation and fight against smuggling and drug trafficking as a priority. The interested media may take images of the seized drugs, as well as statements from those responsible for the Tax Agency in the port of A Coruña. Place: Transatlantic Dock. Port A Coruña. Time: 12:30 p.m.

January 12, 2009. This weekend, the Tax Agency seized more than 3.5 tonnes of hashish on board a glider boat that was about to unload close to Muxia (A Coruña). The operation was a success thanks to the joint investigation performed by the heads of the Customs Surveillance Service and the National Police force. The suspect vessel was boarded after it was detected by the air observation service of the Customs Surveillance helicopter and the subsequent response of the vessel named 'Albatros".

"Albatros" will arrive in the port of A Coruña today, where anyone interested can take photos while the drugs are unloaded, as well as declarations of the heads of the Tax Agency. This new apprehension serves as a testament to the efficiency of the investigations into complex forms of drug trafficking, which are complemented by money laundering investigations involving the main parties involved in drug trafficking in Spain.

In 2009, investigating and fighting against smuggling and drug trafficking remains a priority for the Tax Agency. Last December, two new vessels were added to the fleet, 17 and 30 metres long respectively. Furthermore, over the course of the year, three more vessels measuring 30 metres and four measuring 17 metres will be added to the fleet.

The evolution of Customs apprehensions in recent years is as follows:

	Evolution Record year	HASHISH quantity (kg)	COCAINE quantity (kg)	TOTAL quantity (kg)
	2005	171,975	30,517	202,492
	2006	148,458	32,681	181,139
	2007	171,548	25,070	196,618
	2008(*)	212,973	21,865	234,838
	Total	938,793	140,233	1,079,026

(*the figures for 2008 are provisional)