On the morning of Thursday the 27th of November at approximately 02:30, two small boats were seen by Customs Officers entering British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and heading to Emerson’s Place. A marked patrol vehicle was deployed in response and the individuals aboard were seen offloading boxes of tobacco onto the rocks on the shoreline. 

Several individuals and a vehicle fled the area as officers identified themselves and approached the location and as a result 50,000 cigarettes were seized by Customs Officers. 

Following the seizure, a chase at sea ensued together with Gibraltar Defence Police marine assets who were also in attendance, resulting in the small boats making dangerous evasive manoeuvres and returning to Spanish waters. 

An investigation has been opened and enquiries continue.