Historic operation against smuggling
In an unprecedented blow, the Civil Guard, in collaboration with Europol, has dismantled a complex network dedicated to the production and distribution of counterfeit tobacco in Catalonia. This operation has resulted in the seizure of over 100 tons of illegal products, marking one of the largest confiscations in the country's history. The Spanish government's delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, highlighted that this action represents an estimated tax fraud of 30 million euros.
The investigation, which lasted nearly two years, revealed that the organization operated from industrial warehouses located mainly in Granollers, although searches were also conducted in Piera, Vidreres, and Lloret de Mar. According to Captain Daniel Gómez Moreno, who was in charge of the operation, the group had the capacity to produce up to 900,000 cigarettes daily, using a well-structured logistics system that included the regular transport of tobacco leaves.
The outcome of the operation was the arrest of 20 people, four of whom have been sent to provisional prison. Among those arrested are eleven workers who were allegedly being exploited and kept in an irregular situation within the country. This situation has led authorities to investigate possible crimes related to labor exploitation.
Throughout the operation, significant quantities of material related to illegal production were confiscated: 29,600 kilograms of tobacco leaves and 72,800 kilograms of cut tobacco were just some of the highlighted figures among the findings. Additionally, nearly seven million sheets with counterfeit prints corresponding to well-known brands like Marlboro were found.
Named operation ‘Yankao-Mikao’, this intervention has not only put an end to a significant illicit activity within Spanish territory but has also opened the door to future international investigations. The Civil Guard does not rule out making further arrests as inquiries into this organized criminal network progress.
You may also like
