A joint operation by the Tax Agency and the Guardia Civil

• 170 businesses have been inspected in eight autonomous communities, in an operation coordinated and directed from Granada.

• The operation resulted in three arrests, four companies under investigation, and the seizure of 8,000 containers of e-cigarette liquids, as well as raw materials.

May 28, 2026. Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency, together with members of the Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation Unit (Udaiff) of the Civil Guard of Granada, within the framework of operation 'Tonogra', have dismantled an illegal warehouse dedicated to the mixing and storage of vaping products and have proceeded to investigate four companies and arrest three people as alleged perpetrators of crimes against public health, against the public treasury and for belonging to a criminal group.

The operation began after receiving various reports about the possible existence of a warehouse dedicated to the mixing and storage of vaping products that lacked the necessary permits and authorizations to carry out the activity.

The investigations began last November, continuing until, in the first days of March, the entry and search were carried out at the warehouse where the warehouse was located, situated in the town of Peligros (Granada), as well as at the home of the detainees in the municipality of Alhendín, in the same province, and at an establishment open to the public in the capital of Granada, linked to the members of the investigated group.

Inspections in 170 establishments in eight autonomous communities

Simultaneously, coordinated inspections were carried out in 170 establishments located in eight autonomous communities (Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Castilla la Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura, Madrid and Valencia) where products from the investigated companies were marketed.

As a result of the actions, four companies have been investigated and 8,000 containers with liquids for electronic cigarettes already prepared for their commercialization have been seized, as well as raw materials intended for the production of refill liquids and various material related to the activity, all valued at almost 890,000 euros and placed at the disposal of the judicial authority.

Likewise, three people have been arrested as alleged perpetrators of crimes against public health, for the production of vaping products lacking health traceability and the appropriate registrations and licenses for the development of the activity, crimes against the public treasury for alleged non-compliance with tax obligations linked to the development of the activity, and crimes of belonging to a criminal group.

The operation, which represents a novel action in this type of industry, has required a significant investigative effort and has had the collaboration of the Central Unit of Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation (Ucaiff) of the Civil Guard.

These actions have been carried out within the framework of the existing collaboration between administrations for the control of activities related to the manufacture and marketing of devices capable of releasing nicotine, a sector in continuous growth and subject to strict administrative regulation.

Thus, the cooperation of the General Directorate of Public Health and Equity in Health, of the Ministry of Health, staff from the Health Area of ​​the Government Delegation of Spain in Andalusia, as well as the Provincial Labor and Social Security Inspection services in Granada and the Industry Department of the Territorial Delegation of Granada of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines, has been essential due to the complexity and scope of the research.

The development of the operation has highlighted the specialization of the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency and the Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation Units of the Civil Guard in the fight against fraud, smuggling and activities that pose a risk to public health.