Operation of the Tax Agency against tobacco smuggling

• The organization had the necessary elements for the manufacture of three semi-rigid boats.
• There are three people arrested

February 21, 2023.- Customs Surveillance Officers of the Tax Agency have seized 450,000 packs of tobacco in a warehouse located in the town of Osuna and have dismantled a preparation center for semi-rigid inflatable boats, of the type commonly used for smuggling tobacco and narcotic substances. A total of three members of the organization were arrested during the operation.  

The investigation began when officials from the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency from different specialized units detected the existence of an organization, based in the Seville town of Osuna, which had a warehouse where it received contraband goods for later distribution, as well as preparing the logistical means for its illegal activities.

On February 15, after a period of surveillance, the unloading of a container, introduced through the port of Malaga and coming from the Middle East, was observed at the Osuna warehouse. During the operation, carried out under counter-surveillance measures established by the criminal organization, the loading of two large-capacity vehicles and their preparation for their imminent departure was observed. At that time, Customs Surveillance officers proceeded to pursue one of the vehicles, which did not heed the order of the law enforcement officers.

After a short chase, the suspect vehicle was intercepted and, after verifying that it was transporting contraband tobacco, its occupant was arrested. The warehouse from which the van had left was then entered and searched, and the rest of the stash was detected. The total amount seized is 450,000 packets of 'Manchester' brand cigarettes, which amounts to more than nine million cigarettes valued at 1,680,000 euros.

Clandestine shipyard

During the searches, a clandestine shipyard was discovered inside the ship for the manufacture and storage of 'narco-boats', semi-rigid boats equipped with high-powered engines used for smuggling tobacco or narcotic substances.

The organization had the necessary elements to manufacture three semi-rigid boats and four engines, of 300 and 350 HP each, and others of lesser power with the serial numbers erased.

Both the seized items and the detainees have been placed at the disposal of the on-duty Court of Instruction in Osuna.

The operation was carried out by members of the Customs Surveillance operational units of the Tax Agency of Malaga and Seville, who continue with the actions aimed at locating all the members of this criminal organization, so new arrests are not ruled out in the coming days.