Spanish authorities intercept 28,000 smuggled cigarettes from Morocco at Algeciras port
In two separate operations carried out on July 13, customs officers and surveillance units seized a total of 28,000 undeclared packs of cigarettes hidden inside vehicles arriving from Morocco.
The individuals involved, along with the seized goods and official reports, have been referred to the Algeciras Primary Court.
The first bust took place during a routine inspection in the vehicle control area for arrivals from Tangier. Officers became suspicious after noticing the nervous behavior of a semi-trailer truck driver. A thorough search revealed 3,000 packs of cigarettes concealed in the trailer. The driver was cited for an administrative offense related to smuggling.
The second operation led to the arrest of two individuals after a refrigerated truck, sealed upon departure, showed signs of tampering during transit. Upon inspection, authorities uncovered 25,000 additional packs hidden inside. In total, 28,000 cigarette packs were confiscated, with an estimated value of over €140,000.
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The Spanish Civil Guard and customs authorities at the Port of Algeciras have foiled two attempts to smuggle large quantities of cigarettes from Morocco, according to Spanish media reports. In two separate operations carried out on July 13, customs officers and surveillance units seized a total of 28,000 undeclared packs of cigarettes hidden inside vehicles arriving from Morocco. The individuals involved, along with the seized goods and official reports, have been referred to the Algeciras Primary Court. The first bust took place during a routine inspection in the vehicle control area for arrivals from Tangier. Officers became suspicious after noticing the nervous behavior of a semi-trailer truck driver. A thorough search revealed 3,000 packs of cigarettes concealed in the trailer. The driver was cited for an administrative offense related to smuggling. The second operation led to the arrest of two individuals after a refrigerated truck, sealed upon departure, showed signs of tampering during transit. Upon inspection, authorities uncovered 25,000 additional packs hidden inside. In total, 28,000 cigarette packs were confiscated, with an estimated value of over €140,000.
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