The Guardia Civil has seized almost 3,500 bottles of illegal alcoholic drinks in Gran Canaria after discovering a large stock of imported spirits being stored and prepared for distribution without the legally required tax and certification controls.

The operation resulted in the confiscation of 3,492 bottles containing various international liquors found inside an industrial warehouse on the island.

According to investigators, the products failed to comply with Spain’s legal and fiscal regulations, with many bottles either lacking official tax seals entirely or displaying fraudulent labels.

Alcohol worth more than €44,000 seized

The investigation began during a routine inspection at an Asian-owned premises, where officers detected suspicious alcoholic products without the mandatory tax stamps required for legal sale in Spain.

Specialist officers from the Fiscal and Borders Patrol Unit (PAFIF) then carried out a more detailed inspection using advanced scanning technology to verify the authenticity of the products.

In total, officers seized 1,674 litres of alcohol with an estimated value of more than €44,000.

Among the confiscated products were:

• Lychee liqueurs
• High-strength sorghum spirits of up to 62% alcohol
• Cinnamon-based liquors
• Other imported spirits with labelling irregularities

Authorities said many of the products showed “serious irregularities” in both labelling and fiscal certification.

Health concerns raised

Investigators identified the person under investigation as the individual responsible for the business and the administrative management of the goods.

The Guardia Civil said the operation prevented the products from reaching the retail market, avoiding what officials described as a potential public health risk due to the lack of official traceability and safety controls.

The entire shipment has now been sealed and remains under the custody of the relevant authorities while sanction proceedings continue.

A formal report for alleged breaches of Spain’s Special Taxes Law has been sent to the Regional Customs and Excise Department in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Warning over counterfeit alcohol

The Guardia Civil warned that cases involving illegal alcohol are considered especially dangerous, not only because of tax evasion but also due to the serious health risks linked to counterfeit or clandestinely produced spirits.

Officials stressed that the absence of legal tax seals is often the first sign that alcoholic drinks may have been adulterated or manufactured outside official safety standards, potentially containing substances harmful to human health.

The investigation remains ongoing.