Spanish police have arrested 14 individuals and placed 20 more under investigation in connection with a series of thefts at Tenerife South Airport, where a staggering £1.7 million worth of valuables went missing from tourists’ suitcases. The arrests followed an increase in complaints from passengers who reported items disappearing from their luggage.
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Operation Orotel Unveiled
The Civil Guard, leading the operation codenamed Orotel, revealed that nearly 30 designer watches, along with jewelry, phones, electronic devices, and £11,000 (13,000 euros) in cash, have been recovered. The operation involved detaining suspects, conducting searches, and opening lockers to discover the stolen items.
Alleged Modus Operandi
According to a Civil Guard spokesman, the suspects exploited their positions at the airport to manipulate the loading and unloading of luggage at a slower pace, ensuring greater distance between each case. They would open the luggage within the hold, away from passengers’ view, and close the zip after removing the desired items to conceal any sign of tampering. Screens were also used to hide the fact that they were accessing passengers’ luggage.
Well-Structured Criminal Gang
The detainees were described as members of a “well-structured criminal gang, with clearly defined functions.” Their activities included selecting targeted flights, concealing stolen items, removing them from the airport, and selling them through various channels, including jewelry shops and online platforms.
Recovery of Stolen Items
As part of the operation, police conducted searches in lockers belonging to airport workers, as well as their homes and cars. The recovered items included 29 expensive designer watches, 120 pieces of jewelry, 22 mobile phones, electronic equipment, £11,000 in cash, and a high-end vehicle. The total value of the recovered objects stands at nearly £1.7 million (€2 million).
Extensive Investigation
The suspects managed to sell many stolen items online and in shops, leading to an ongoing investigation involving 27 jewelers in Santa Cruz, Tenerife. Authorities believe that millions of pounds worth of valuables may have been stolen, given the value of the recovered material.
With 1.6 million visitors from the UK to Tenerife between January and August this year, Tenerife South Airport serves as a key entry point for most British holidaymakers. The arrests and ongoing investigation aim to curb the criminal activities that have affected unsuspecting travelers.
