As a result of a two-year investigation in Spain, a criminal group that supplied counterfeit fuel from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to 'low-cost' gas stations in several regions of Spain has been uncovered, Spanish media report.
An operation called Tenk began after complaints from residents of the locality of La Oja del Campo in the municipality of Abanera (Murcia province) about the constant movement of fuel tankers.
Local authorities discovered an illegal fuel depot containing more than 70,000 liters of diesel fuel, as well as equipment, containers, and chemicals, including triacetin, which is not permitted for use in automotive diesel.
It later became clear that the substance was not pure diesel fuel — impurities had been added to change the physical properties of the fuel and evade tax payments.
The modified fuel was intended for so-called "low-cost" gas stations in Murcia, Almeria, Alicante, and Valencia. During subsequent raids, two more illegal depots were discovered — in Abanilla (Murcia) and Silla (Valencia).
Authorities established that the fuel was sourced from Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Lithuania. To avoid customs control and excise tax payments, the shipments were fraudulently declared as oils and lubricants rather than diesel fuel.
Thus, the criminal network evaded the special Spanish tax on hydrocarbons, value-added tax, and income tax. According to officials, this scheme not only harmed the state treasury but also created unfair competition for law-abiding businesses.
During the investigation, 18 individuals were arrested, investigative actions are ongoing against another 14 suspects, and 40 companies that may be linked to the criminal scheme have been identified.
The scheme operated through so-called shell companies created using the personal data of individuals in severe financial distress. Many of those who received compensation for allowing their identity to be used were foreigners — citizens of Ukraine, Latvia, France, as well as Spain.
The arrested individuals face charges of fraud, document forgery, tax evasion, social security fraud, money laundering, violation of road safety regulations, and participation in a criminal organization.
Investigators have so far checked 11 gas stations and companies linked to the network. The investigation is ongoing.
Operation Tenk dealt a serious blow to fuel fraud schemes in Spain, as it succeeded in dismantling a network that not only deceived the state but also jeopardized the safety of drivers, the environment, and consumer trust.
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