Two organised criminal gangs have been dismantled following an investigation into more than 100 thefts from the same retail store at Tenerife South Airport.
The joint operation, carried out by the Guardia Civil and Spain's Customs Surveillance Service (Agencia Tributaria), resulted in 92 people being arrested or placed under investigation in connection with at least 102 shoplifting offences.
The suspects are alleged to have stolen goods worth more than 87,000 euros, mainly premium perfumes and cartons of cigarettes.
Coordinated thefts over an extended period
The investigation, codenamed Operation Tonfa TF, was led by the Guardia Civil's Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation Unit (UDAIFF) based at the airport, working alongside Customs officers.
Investigators discovered that the gangs repeatedly targeted the same shop at the airport using a coordinated approach.
Groups of two or more suspects would enter the store together, with some distracting staff and monitoring their movements while others put merchandise in bags and backpacks before leaving without paying.
Stolen goods recovered across Spain
As the investigation progressed, officers expanded the operation to airports across mainland Spain and the Canary Islands.
Police carried out coordinated actions at airports in Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga and Alicante-Elche, allowing investigators to identify and locate those allegedly involved.
More than €45,000 worth of stolen goods has since been recovered.
Court proceedings underway
Those involved are accused of repeated theft and membership of an organised criminal group.
The investigation has now been handed over to the courts in Granadilla de Abona, which will oversee legal proceedings relating to the 102 confirmed thefts at Tenerife South Airport.
The case highlights the increasing use of organised shoplifting gangs operating at major transport hubs, where high-value items such as luxury perfumes and tobacco products are often targeted for resale.
