Police reveal one of Spain’s main entry areas for tobacco smuggling

ANDALUCIA is one of Spain’s main entry points for tobacco smuggling, according to police.

More than 40 per cent of the country’s illegal supplies enters through the area, with the Guardia Civil estimating around 50 vehicles loaded with boxes of tobacco come into Andalucia each day.

According to Altadis, the practice sees the government lose out on €900 million a year in taxes; around €2.5 million a day. 

Tobacco smuggling, which was once mainly confined to the coast of Galicia, is now more common in Andalucia. 

Consultancy firm Ipsos estimates 31.2 per cent of cigarettes smoked in the area are illegal, compared to 6.5 per cent in Madrid.

Overall, 41.7 per cent of smuggled tobacco is thought to come from Gibraltar and brought into Spain by car without paying taxes.