Successful operation against tobacco smugglers in Spain

07/08/2012

On 27 July 2012, Spanish Customs, together with the Andorran police, and with support from OLAF,  dismantled a large criminal organisation which was active in the illegal cigarette traffic in Spain.
Codenamed  operation ALGA, this joint operation has lead to the detention of 35 people in 5 autonomous regions  in Spain, the confiscation of a quarter of a million  illegal packets of cigarettes, and the prevention of losses of millions of euros in tax revenues.  The success of operation ALGA shows, once again, the importance of the fight against the illicit traffic of tobacco products and the necessity of international cooperation to this end. Press release 1- 2 - 3