Four Guardia Civil officers have been injured following a violent clash with tobacco smugglers in Andalucia.
The dramatic incident occurred in the early hours of Friday (December 5), near the banks of the River Palmones in Los Barrios.
The town is situated in the Campo de Gibraltar, a region long synonymous with drug trafficking gangs thanks to its geographical closeness to the port of Algeciras – one of Europe’s main entry points for South American cocaine.
It’s also long been a landing area for hashish shipments arriving from Morocco by boat, plus tobacco being smuggled across the Gibraltar border.
Tensions flared in the early hours of Friday after a late-night smuggling run was rumbled.
According to the Jucil Guardia Civil union, a patrol from the Usecic rapid-response unit spotted a Range Rover suspected of transporting illicit tobacco.
At first, the driver appeared to comply with officers’ commands to stop, but the situation escalated when an officers stepped out of the patrol car.
The vehicle suddenly lurched forward, forcing the officer to throw himself aside to avoid being run over.
Instead of fleeing the area, the driver accelerated directly towards another Guardia Civil vehicle, striking it with force before continuing his escape attempt.
The impact left the official patrol car badly damaged, while officers scrambled to regain control of the situation.
The suspect eventually abandoned the 4×4 when he could no longer manoeuvre it and attempted to flee on foot.
He was caught shortly afterwards but put up strong resistance during the arrest, injuring several Guardia Civil agents in the struggle.
Officers also seized a quantity of contraband tobacco he had been transporting.
Jucil Cadiz said the incident highlights the ‘growing level of violence’ displayed by smuggling groups operating in the Campo de Gibraltar, warning that agents are routinely placed in life-threatening situations.
The association is calling for a significant increase in staffing levels in the area, as well as more resources and better protective equipment for officers on the frontline.
It is also urging lawmakers to introduce tougher penalties for offences linked to drug trafficking, tobacco smuggling and assaults on law-enforcement officials.
‘Only with stronger legislation and improved resources can we guarantee the safety of citizens and the officers who defend our borders and public order,’ the association stressed.
Images released by Jucil show the shattered front end of the Guardia Civil vehicle following the violent ramming.
Read more Costa del Crime news at the Spanish Eye.
