During a coordinated operation named orel, Civil Guard agents arrested 14 individuals and questioned 20 more in connection with a criminal network operating at Tenerife’s Reina Sofia airport. The group is accused of offenses including robbery, property damage, and money laundering, all linked to crimes committed by a structured crew within the airport environment.
The operation followed a noticeable uptick in complaints from travelers regarding thefts of checked luggage. Direct victims comprised passengers of various nationalities who traveled through Tenerife South Airport, with robberies affecting both personal belongings and valuables stored in suitcases destined for aircraft holds.
The detainees exploited their positions as airport workers. When suitcases were transferred to aircraft holds, they slowed the handling process, created distractions, and stole from luggage while it was unattended and out of sight. They often opened zippers by creating gaps or by drilling, exposing the contents to theft without immediate detection.
In some cases, items stolen from inside suitcases included jewelry, mobile devices, watches, and other electronics. After taking items, the perpetrators resealed the luggage so there were no obvious signs of tampering, minimizing suspicion among travelers and staff alike.
To avoid raising alarms, the suspects positioned the suitcases along the warehouse entrance and inside the facility in a way that constrained movement. They even installed protective coverings and tarps to facilitate the smooth transfer of luggage and restrict unauthorized access, ensuring that theft activities remained discreet.
Stolen objects worth approximately 2 million euros
The group operated with a clear hierarchy, assigning individual roles such as selecting flights, concealing stolen goods, removing items from airport premises, facilitating sales through jewelers or online channels, and distributing profits. Some stolen items were stored in clothing or private lockers to keep them out of sight until a suitable opportunity to dispose of them arose.
Law enforcement conducted extensive searches across lockers, private vehicles, and residences associated with the airport employees. Authorities recovered 29 luxury watches, 120 pieces of jewelry including gold and precious stones, 22 high-end mobile phones and other electronic devices, roughly 13,000 euros in cash, and a high-end vehicle linked to the operation.
The total value of seized items amounts to just under two million euros. Investigators noted that a significant number of the stolen items had already been sold through both physical and online second-hand markets, prompting investigations into 27 jewelry stores across Santa Cruz de Tenerife as part of the broader inquiry.
The Tenerife South Airport Financial Investigation and Border Analysis Unit (UDAIFF) led the probe with support from the Citizen Security Unit (USECIC). The Civil Guard received additional backing from the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), the Spanish Airports and Air Navigation Association (AENA), and the various airlines operating at Reina Sofia Airport. The operation was supervised by Instruction Court No. 4 of Granadilla de Abona, guiding all investigative and enforcement actions.
Readers seeking clarification on this case should refer to the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Civil Guard Command for official updates and public information releases. The ongoing investigation continues to examine the full extent of the network’s activities and potential accomplices.