Aug 08 Tobacco Smuggling Operation - Update
Following on from the arrest of three Spanish nationals and three locals in the early hours of Wednesday the 7th of August 2013 a number of search warrants have been executed throughout the day. Three residences and one store have been searched with 40000 cigarettes being seized within the store.
Within the detained vessel “San Francisco” with registration number 3 – AL - 3276 a further six boxes of tobacco totalling 60000 cigarettes were found and seized.
The men have been charged as follows:
Jesus Arcangel Linares of Urbanizacion Gravina 16, La Linea, Spain, aged 51
Juan Carlos Ortero of Calle Canaria, La Linea, Spain, aged 49 and
Juan Morente Moreno of Calle Canaria, La Linea, Spain, aged 46,
Were jointly charged with one count of possession of cigarettes in a commercial quantity without a licence, approximately 60000 cigarettes.
Thomas Neale, of St Peter’s Close, Catalan Bay, Gibraltar, aged 38
Joseph Neale, of Rose Court, Sir William Jackson Grove, Gibraltar, aged 38, and
Ian Goodes, of Tower House, Moorish Castle Estate, Gibraltar, aged 42,
Were jointly charged with one count of possession of cigarettes in a commercial quantity without a licence, approximately 100000 cigarettes.
All six men were also jointly charged with one count of being knowingly concerned in the exportation of a commercial quantity of cigarettes without the authority of an export permit, approximately 60000 cigarettes.
The three Spanish nationals with no ties to Gibraltar were kept in cells pending their court appearance at 1000hrs the 8th of August at the Magistrates Court. The three local men were bailed out in their own recognizance to appear at the Magistrates Court at 1000hrs the 8th of August 2013.
Both fishing vessels continue to be detained by Police.
Commenting on the operation the acting Commissioner Superintendent McGrail, thanked the Gibraltar Defence Police, MoD, Royal Navy Clearance Divers and HM Customs for the assistance rendered to the operation, contributing to its success.
The Royal Gibraltar Police continues to emphasise that these arrests are unrelated to any fishing or nature protection legislation matters.
