Europe calls for probe into cigarette-smuggling from Gibraltar as sales figures show every Rock resident smokes nine packets a day
Thursday, August 14, 2014 @ 9:28 PM
BRUSSELS has ordered an investigation into alleged contraband cigarette-smuggling and money laundering in Gibraltar.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) says it 'has reasons to believe' that such activity is taking place on the Rock and has alerted the British and Spanish governments, ordering them to launch an inquiry.
According to OLAF's Spanish representative and based upon figures seen, 'either they smoke a carton of cigarettes a day in Gibraltar, or something is very wrong'.
Given that the Rock enjoys certain tax advantages, cigarettes are sold much more cheaply there, which is legal.
Whilst a carton of 10 packets costs on average 40 to 45 euros in Spain, the same ones in Gibraltar retail at between 25 and 27 euros.
But the number of cartons being shipped into the Rock and flying off the shelves suggest that they are not being purchased for personal use, rather for being sold at a profit over the border.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com