• The cargo, consisting of 382 bags of chewing tobacco, was found inside two checked bags of a passenger from India.

January 13, 2025.- The Tax Agency and the Civil Guard intervened on December 17, at the Barcelona airport, a shipment of 28.72 kilos of chewing tobacco. The merchandise, seized for not having been declared, was detected inside two checked bags of a 53-year-old Indian passenger who was traveling from Delhi-Kuwait-Barcelona.

The operation took place at the customs control of Terminal 2 of Barcelona-El Prat Airport during inspection work to prevent the smuggling of goods carried out by agents specialised in tax matters, under the supervision of the Airport Customs Administrator.

When customs checked the passenger's luggage, agents from the Fiscal and Border Unit inspected two suitcases containing a total of 382 bags of chewing tobacco, each weighing approximately 88.92 grams. The goods, with a total weight of 28.72 kilos and valued at 1,608.32 euros, had not been declared, which constitutes an administrative offence of smuggling according to current European Union regulations, which prohibit the transport of more than one kilo of undeclared tobacco.

In Spain, the consumption of chewing tobacco, also known as 'smokeless tobacco', is not prohibited. It usually comes in leaves, powder or small bags (similar to tea bags), which are placed between the cheek and gum, allowing the nicotine to be released. This substance, present in all tobacco products, is highly addictive, has psychoactive effects on the nervous system and carries health risks.

In this case, a report was issued for an administrative infringement of smuggling and the goods were deposited at the Barcelona Customs Office.