A 66-year-old man has been arrested by the Guardia Civil for a series of tobacco and cigarette thefts at Tenerife South Airport totalling €3,500.
The arrest was the result of a meticulous investigation by the Guardia Civil's Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation Unit (UDAIFF) in collaboration with Customs officials.
The suspect used a sophisticated method to repeatedly access the airport’s commercial areas. He purchased flexible flight tickets from a Spanish airline, which allowed him to change the flight date free of charge and print boarding passes without having any intention of flying. By altering the dates several times, he managed to get continuous access to the airport’s shopping zones without being detected.
The Guardia Civil started an investigation following a formal complaint, which led to the examination of surveillance footage and other investigative measures. This enabled them to identify and track the accused, ultimately uncovering his pattern of theft. The surveillance evidence clearly showed the man stealing packs of tobacco from various retail outlets within the airport.
Upon gathering sufficient evidence, the Guardia Civil arrested the man who has since been placed in the custody of the competent judicial authority. In addition to the theft charges, a restraining order has been issued to prevent him from entering any commercial establishments within the airport complex in the future.
