The Civil Guard, in collaboration with the Local Police of Xàbia, has carried out an operation against smuggling in the province of Alicante. The intervention began after receiving information about the possible sale of vapers and nicotine products to minors in an establishment in Xàbia.
As a result of inspections at two commercial premises, more than 55.000 contraband products have been seized, including vapes and refill liquids, as well as cash, narcotics and an air gun. The owner of the businesses, a 56-year-old British man, has been arrested and brought to court as the alleged perpetrator of a smuggling offence.
Inspection in Xàbia: illegal sales to minors and discovery of contraband goods
The investigation began on the afternoon of November 29, 2024, when the Civil Guard was informed by the Local Police of Xàbia that they had evidence that an establishment was selling vapers with nicotine to minors.
Agents from the Fiscal and Border Patrol (PAFIF) of the Guardia Civil of Calp coordinated an operation in collaboration with the Local Police. During the operation, investigators observed how two young people were purchasing products in the establishment. After being identified, it was confirmed that they were minors and that the items contained nicotine.
In light of this situation, a thorough inspection was carried out at the premises. During the search, 21.813 contraband products were seized, including vapes and refill liquids. The merchandise, originating from the United Kingdom, China and the United States, did not have a registered importer in Spain or the European Union and did not have the mandatory labelling in Spanish.
In addition, it was found that most of the products were out of date, with expiration dates between 2019 and 2024. This information has been transferred to the Department of Health of the Valencian Community for possible health risks arising from their consumption.
During the inspection, 10 grams of cocaine, 19.000 euros in cash and a compressed gas revolver were also found in the possession of the manager of the premises. Furthermore, the suspect did not present any documentation proving the legality of the merchandise.
Inspection in Moraira and dismantling of another point of sale
Following the first intervention, PAFIF investigators discovered that the same owner was managing a second establishment in the town of Moraira (Teulada), so a new inspection was organised on 16 December 2024.
34.008 contraband products were seized at this location, including vapes, refill liquids and nicotine patches, with the same irregularities detected in the first business: merchandise without import registration and without labelling in Spanish. In addition, 3.000 euros in cash were found.
Arrest and bringing to court
Finally, on February 14, after comparing the technical information and with the total of the products seized and sealed at the disposal of the court in both premises, given that the value of the merchandise exceeds 150.000 euros, the person responsible was located and arrested for an alleged crime of smuggling, pursuant to Organic Law 12/1995 on the Repression of Smuggling.
The drugs seized during the inspections have been sent to the Health Department of the Government Subdelegation, the weapon has been deposited in the Weapons Intervention of the Civil Guard of Dénia and the seized money has been deposited into the bank account of the Investigating Court No. 1 of Dénia, which is investigating the case.
With this operation, the Civil Guard has managed to remove a large quantity of products from the market whose import was not regulated, with the implications that this entails for both the economy as well as for public health.
What a great guy, all of Jávea knew that he sold vapers and imported liquids. He's open again now.
Which store is it? I don’t want to go there…
No longer exists
A very misleading story. The drugs were actually found on a customer who came into the shop. All products have been returned by the courts and all charges dropped as it was proven to be legal. All documents were provided to the courts about the legality of the business. It seems to all of us that the police are after British business men again for no other reason than jealousy. The money belonged to a change bureau that is fully licensed and operates from the same premises. All these facts can be checked through Denia court documents. The police have tried to destroy an honest business. For full disclosure I was a customer of this business for a while but no longer as I have left Spain to live in England again after twelve years in Spain.