Joint operation of the Tax Agency and National Police

• In the operation, a person was arrested who had a clandestine workshop where he assembled firearms whose frame he had previously manufactured using a 3D printer.
• In the searches carried out, among other effects, more than 30 manuals, two 3D printers, 11 coils of filament for 3D printers, numerous computer devices used for the manufacture of weapon parts, 19 short weapon frames made by 3D printing have been seized. and various fundamental pieces; In addition, two taser guns, five knives, a machete, a katana and objects with supremacist symbols have been located.
• Given the discovery of different chemical substances that could be used to make explosives, the intervention of a TEDAX-NRBQ team has been required to neutralize them and a team of canine guides specialized in the detection of this type of substance.
• Within the framework of the EMPACT-FIREARMS platform, Spain leads at the European level the operational action aimed at defining new emerging threats in the field of illicit arms trafficking, with the participation of the General Information and Customs Surveillance Commission of the Tax Agency regarding the use of parcel delivery in that area
• An international conference is planned in which the three-dimensional manufacture of weapons will be discussed in depth and Customs will co-lead the action on illicit arms trafficking of the Customs Cooperation Group of the Council of the EU in the period 2020-2021

 April 18, 2021 .- Officials from the Tax Agency and agents from the National Police have dismantled the first illegal 3D weapons manufacturing workshop in Spain after an investigation carried out by Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency, the General Information Commissioner's Office and the Provincial Information Brigade of Tenerife, which has led to the arrest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife of a person for his alleged participation in the crimes of illicit possession of weapons and storage of explosives.

During the searches, two 3D printers, 11 spools of filament for 3D printers and numerous computer devices used for manufacturing were seized. In addition, 19 short gun frames made using 3D printing were seized, nine magazines, two silencers, two unnumbered short gun slides, two pieces for rifling barrels, two firing pins, a replica of an AR-15 Airsoft assault rifle, a carbine with telescopic sight, several metal tubes to make barrels, a holographic viewer, a plastic mold to make frames and various short weapon parts (rods, rear sights, front sights, triggers, springs, hammer...).

The agents also located two taser guns, five knives, a machete, a katana, and various objects with supremacist symbols (two flags representing a triskelion and a gun holster with the emblem of the National Army German Socialist).

Also, of special importance for the researchers was the detection of more than 30 manuals, including: a “terrorist manual”, on urban guerrilla, military, homemade explosives manufacturing, on the use and handling of firearms and the manufacture of firearms through 3D printing.

Finally, different chemical substances that could be used in the production of explosive devices such as black powder, aluminum, nitrate, acetone, etc. were seized, which is why the intervention of a TEDAX-NRBQ team was required to neutralize them and a team of Canine Guides specialized in the detection of this type of substances.

The operation, carried out on September 14, 2020, has been directed by the Investigative Court number THREE of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which has maintained summary secrecy to date.

First illegal 3D weapons workshop in Spain

The investigation began when agents specialized in the matter detected the existence of a person who, illegally, made purchases over the Internet of fundamental parts of firearms and explosive substances.

After analyzing all the information obtained, the corresponding operational device was established, carrying out four searches in the Tenerife city.

When the agents entered one of the premises they were able to see how one of the 3D printers was operational and fully operational. A short gun frame was being printed, which was practically finished.

The detainee also had a large number of fundamental pieces, all of them complementary for assembly to the 3D manufactured frame. In this way, the arrested person could completely manufacture a short firearm.

European working group in the fight against emerging criminal modalities

Additive manufacturing – known as 3D three-dimensional printing – is a disruptive technology that exponentially increases the danger of the proliferation of firearms, facilitating access to them for criminal or terrorist groups. In October 2019, in Germany, a terrorist attack was committed against a Jewish synagogue, in which other weapons and explosives were used, including a rifle made with a 3D printer.  

The General Information Commissioner's Office is at the forefront of the fight against these new criminal modalities and currently an Inspector from that Police Station representing Spain leads a working group of European police forces, within the EMPACT FIREARMS platform, dedicated to combating emerging threats in this area and, specifically, the response to the threat posed by the three-dimensional printing of firearms. Among the activities planned in this area, an International Congress dedicated to Firearms and Emerging Threats in the 21st Century is planned to be held at the Canillas Police Complex (Madrid) of the National Police.

Likewise, the Customs and Excise Department of the Tax Agency, through Customs Surveillance, co-directs, within the framework of the EMPACT FIREARMS platform, the operational action on illicit arms trafficking through parcel delivery.

This operation highlights the synergies created with the joint work between customs police forces and the Ministry of the Interior, and that Spain promotes within the EU through the Action on illicit arms trafficking of the Customs Cooperation Group of the Council of the Union led by the Department of Customs and Excise Taxes during the period 2020-2021.