Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the National Police

• This is the largest national seizure of cigarettes transported in containers so far this year
• A person is investigated in Spain

19 August 2022.- Customs Surveillance Officials of the Tax Agency, in a joint operation with the National Police, have apprehended, in the port of Algeciras, more than 10.3 million tobacco cigarettes in a container from India and have taken a statement, as a non-detained investigator, from one of the people responsible for the company who appeared in the maritime documentation.

The research groups detected a shipment from India, which declared “sheets and other bedding”; However, its parameters did not seem to correspond to what was stated. This raised the suspicions of investigators who have been working for months on the detection of illicit trafficking and the use of instrumental companies, which is why a joint device was established to proceed with the inspection of the container.

Upon opening the equipment, it was confirmed that the merchandise transported was 1,032 boxes with tobacco cigarettes, whose market value would amount to more than 2,100,000 euros, proceeding to their arrest and subsequently, to take a statement as investigated. arrested one of those responsible for the company used in maritime shipping.

This operation has resulted in the largest seizure of cigarettes transported in containers so far this year in Spain.

The actions carried out, along with the effects and merchandise seized, have been made available to the competent Judicial authority of Algeciras for investigation.

Members of the Malaga Customs Surveillance Operational Unit and Group II of the UDYCO of the Local Police Station of La Línea de la Concepción have participated in the investigations, who continue with the efforts aimed at investigating and locating those responsible for the illicit shipment. .