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Spanish frontier guard accused of allowing tobacco smuggling
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A Spanish civil guard and four other persons are facing charges of working as a gang for tobacco smuggling across the La Linea frontier.
The case is in the Algeciras courts.
The case had its roots four years ago when it was detected, according to the prosecution, that the four individuals, from Spain, decided when they would take the tobacco across the frontier. It is claimed that the frontier guard would allow the vehicles belonging to the others to proceed freely.
They were caught out after allowing 4,000 cigarette packets to go through. But a woman guard immediately thereafter stopped the vehicle and exposed the tobacco, it is said.
Lawyers for the defense have been calling for the case to be declared null on grtounds such as that telephone tapping had taken place without prior legal authority.
The case continues.
21,000 packets last month
Close on 21,000 cigarette packets were seized at the Spanish aduana last month.
Some of it was transported in special compartments in vehicles taking the tobacco from Gibraltar to Spain.
There was a total of 56 vehicles involved last month, said Spanish sources.
Others were crossing the frontier on foot and carrying the tobacco in plastic bags, for example, which would indicate small business.
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