Guardia Civil intercepts 484,620 cigarettes at border so far this month

(Photo: espaciodigital.es)

524 people denounced for contraband and 96 vehicles impounded

LA LÍNEA (Agencies) Customs agent of the Guardia Civil Fiscal unit at the border with Gibraltar have intercepted a total of 24,231 packs at the their routine inspections at the frontier. That's so far this month, and we're only half way through. Aside from the cigarettes, a total of 96 vehicles were impounded and 524 people are charged with contraband offences. Much of the contraband was hidden in the false bottoms of vehicles crossing the frontier, or in hidden spots in the cars and vans, as well as strapped to pedestrians or carried in luggage by them. Add this to>>>
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the 70,306  packets (1,406,120 cigarettes) intercepted in all of July, and you get an idea of the magnitude of the problem that has risen exponentially over the last couple of years. Figures for the first half of this year, according to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, show an increase of 27.8%. Another point made by the ministry, in charge of Customs, is that a serious increase in fake brand from China have also increased their presence among the confiscated tobacco. "This," it says, "is a serious health risk; more so than smoking itself." There is even an unconfirmed rumour about that the Government of Gibraltar is negotiating, or has already negotiated, buying all of the confiscated tobacco from Spain (a rumour, we repeat, that is as yet unconfirmed but which we will endeavour to find out about).