A joint operation by the Tax Agency and the Guardia Civil

• A criminal organization operating in seven locations in the provinces of Ciudad Real and Madrid has been dismantled.

• Along with the seized tobacco, 38,000 packs of cigarettes of different brands, 90,000 euros in cash, cartridges, a pistol, a rifle, bladed weapons and high-end watches were also confiscated.

July 25, 2026. Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency and Civil Guard agents, as part of Operation 'Principito'/'Tajuli', have arrested 20 people belonging to a criminal organization dedicated to tobacco smuggling, and have seized 23,000 kilos of tobacco and 38,000 packs of cigarettes after carrying out 17 raids and searches in several municipalities in the province of Ciudad Real and Madrid. The main detainees, including the leader of the criminal organization, have been remanded in custody without bail.

The investigations began in early 2025, when information was received about an organization located in the Province of Ciudad Real that could be dedicated to the illicit manufacture, storage and distribution of contraband tobacco to various points in the national territory.

In the first phase of the operation, investigators carried out 17 searches in homes and premises in Ciudad Real, Puertollano, Almodóvar del Campo, Villamayor de Calatrava, Bolaños, Almagro and Pozuelo de Calatrava, as well as in the Madrid town of Fuenlabrada.

This device allowed the seizure of 23 tons of loose tobacco and 38,000 packs of cigarettes, as well as cardboard boxes with official brands, scales, presses, bags and other materials used to cut, package and prepare the merchandise for sale. In addition, 18 people were arrested, including the leader of the organization.

The officers also seized 90,000 euros in cash, cartridges, a pistol, a rifle, bladed weapons and high-end watches. Most of the tobacco was located in a search in Fuenlabrada, from where the merchandise was allegedly distributed.

Second phase of exploitation

In mid-July 2026, the second phase of the operation was carried out, in which four new raids were conducted in the towns of Navalcarnero and Aranjuez in Madrid, as well as in Sagunto (Valencia) and Almenara (Castellón) with the aim of arresting the members of the criminal organization who were in charge of the logistics, storage and transport of the contraband tobacco.

This phase has ended with two detainees of Colombian and Romanian nationality and three suspects also of Romanian nationality.

Ten of the 20 detainees have been brought before the court in Puertollano, square number 2, and provisional detention without bail was ordered after they gave their statements. They are accused of the alleged crimes of smuggling, money laundering, tax evasion, crimes against public health, and belonging to a criminal organization.

The investigation was carried out from the beginning jointly between the Ciudad Real Operational Unit of Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency and the EDOA of the Organic Unit of Judicial Police of the Civil Guard Command of Ciudad Real. The searches were carried out in a coordinated manner between the Regional Area of ​​Castilla la Mancha of Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency and the USECIC, the Organic Unit of Judicial Police of the Command of Ciudad Real and EDOA of the Civil Guard.