The Civil Guard of the Murcia Region has successfully concluded Operation ‘Verdiblanco’, which aimed to locate an illicit tobacco sales point. During this operation, authorities seized one thousand eight hundred and forty packs of tobacco from various brands and one kilo of loose tobacco from a warehouse situated in the La Manga del Mar Menor-Cartagena industrial estate.

The investigation commenced in July when the Civil Guard received information regarding illegal tobacco sales in the area. Officers from the Fiscal and Border Patrol, based in Cabo de Palos, started operational measures to gather evidence regarding the suspicions. During surveillance, officers observed a man exiting the warehouse carrying a bag of tobacco. Upon noticing the police, he attempted to return inside, but was intercepted before he could enter.

In his possession, eighty packs of untaxed tobacco were confiscated. After identifying the owner of the location, officers were granted access to the premises, where they subsequently found one thousand two hundred and sixty packs and one kilo of loose tobacco. Additionally, a vehicle nearby was discovered to contain a further five hundred packs of tobacco in its boot.

The outcome of Operation ‘Verdiblanco’ has resulted in the dismantling of a tobacco smuggling operation, leading to the seizure of a total of one thousand eight hundred and forty packs of various tobacco brands and one kilo of loose tobacco, which originated from unknown sources. The three suspects involved have been reported under Organic Law twelve of nineteen ninety-five regarding the suppression of smuggling, highlighting the illegal nature of distributing tobacco without meeting legal requirements such as taxation, authorisation, or specific controls.