The Guardia Civil has dismantled an alleged criminal network in the south of Tenerife suspected of illegally obtaining and selling high-end cars worth more than €1.3 million. The organisation allegedly obtained luxury vehicles from companies in several European countries through fraudulent rental and leasing agreements before bringing them to the archipelago.

Once the cars reached Tenerife, their official documentation was allegedly altered so they could be re-registered and subsequently sold to unsuspecting buyers.

The investigation, carried out by officers from the Guardia Civil's Playa de las Americas unit, has resulted in the arrest of a 41-year-old man in Adeje, while a second person is also under investigation.

They are suspected of offences including fraud, document forgery, money laundering and membership of a criminal group.

According to investigators, numerous European vehicle rental, leasing and sales companies were affected by the operation. The network allegedly obtained high-value vehicles abroad by signing rental or finance agreements which it subsequently failed to honour.

The scheme is estimated to have caused losses of more than €1.3 million.

How the alleged network operated

The investigation began last year and revealed what officers describe as a well-organised structure in which members had specific roles.

Some were allegedly responsible for obtaining the vehicles abroad, while others arranged their transport to the Canary Islands and mainland Spain.

Another part of the operation involved apparently making the vehicles appear legitimate through administrative procedures using allegedly falsified documents.

Investigators say the system made it considerably more difficult for the vehicles' legitimate owners and law enforcement authorities to trace and recover them.

Guardia Civil raid property in Adeje

As part of the operation, Guardia Civil officers searched the home of the main suspect in Adeje, in the south of Tenerife.

During the search, officers seized €5,800 in cash, a mobile phone, seven USB storage devices, a hard drive and a large quantity of documentation allegedly connected to the illegal transactions.

The seized electronic devices and paperwork could now provide investigators with further information about the scale of the operation and other vehicles potentially involved.

Investigation remains open

The case is being handled by the Court of First Instance in Arona, Plaza 3.

The Guardia Civil says the investigation remains ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.

International cooperation could also be expanded as investigators attempt to locate other vehicles believed to have been illegally obtained and subsequently brought to the Canary Islands or other parts of Europe.

Authorities will also be looking to establish the full extent of the network and whether additional individuals or companies were involved in buying, transporting, registering or selling the vehicles.