EU demands crackdown on Gibraltar tobacco smuggling

EUObserver reports on the results of an (unpublished) 2014 study and recommendation by the EU's Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) into the incidence of cigarette smuggling and financial irregularities across the border of Spain and Gibraltar. Olaf called on Spain and Gibraltar, which is classified as a British overseas territory, to 'initiate judicial proceedings'.

El País reported on the 11 August 2014 that the public prosecutor at Spain’s High Court was to investigate tobacco smuggling and money laundering in Gibraltar following the recommendation by OLAF.

The Local.es reported on the 12 August that Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo hit back at 'unobjective' media coverage in Spain in the wake of the report.

The investigation by OLAF had been called for by Spain in the context of the dispute of sovereignty over the territory of Gibraltar between Spain and the United Kingdom.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Gibraltar: European Commission sends another technical fact-finding mission http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-gibraltar-european-commission-sends-another-technical-fact-finding-mission/

ESO: Background information: Gibraltar: Time to get off the fence http://www.europeansources.info/record/gibraltar-time-to-get-off-the-fence/

ESO: Background information: UK summons Spanish ambassador after ships enter Gibraltan waters http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-summons-spanish-ambassador-after-ships-enter-gibraltan-waters/

El País, 11.08.14: Spain to investigate Gibraltar smuggling after EU recommendation http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/08/11/inenglish/1407756773_042213.html

The Local.es, 12.08.14: We will work with Spain on smuggling: Gibraltar http://www.thelocal.es/20140812/gibraltar-ready-to-work-with-spain-on-smuggling

Gibraltar: Government: Press Release, 12.08.14: Antenna 3 Allegedly 'Staging' Tobacco Activity https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/images/stories/PDF/pressoffice/pressreleases/2014/425-2014.pdf

Gibraltar: Government: Press Release, 12.08.14: HMGOG considers GC action in BGTW illegal and unacceptable https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/images/stories/PDF/pressoffice/pressreleases/2014/424-2014.pdf

Gibraltar: Government: Press Release, 11.08.14: HMGoG Welcomes OLAF Recommendations : Calls for Joint Investigations https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/images/stories/PDF/pressoffice/pressreleases/2014/422-2014.pdf

European Commission: DG Home Affairs: Letter to UKREP concerning Gibraltar, July 2014 https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/images/stories/PDF/pressoffice/pressreleases/2014/422.1-2014.pdf

The Guardian, 11.08.14: EU calls for crackdown on tobacco smuggling between Spain and Gibraltar http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/11/eu-crackdown-tobacco-smuggling-spain-gibraltar

El País, 14.08.14: Gibraltar tobacco smuggling cost EU €700m in tax revenue over four years http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/08/14/inenglish/1408007784_371800.html

---