Tobacco smugglers captured

THIRTY-THREE members of an alleged tobacco smuggling group have been arrested in Algeciras by the Guardia Civil.

Operation Kozel saw 15 bars and establishments where tobacco was sold, searched and 41 vehicles, €33,000 in cash and tobacco smuggled across the border from Gibraltar confiscated.

Police investigations began when the Guardia Civil detected a group of people in La Linea de la Concepcion they suspected were bringing tobacco across the border to distribute it all over Andalucia.

The group, which used hidden compartments in vehicles and also hid tobacco inside their clothing to avoid detection at customs, is believed to have earned approximately €192,000 per year.