National
19 Civil Guards arrested in Málaga airport scam
By h.b. - Feb 13, 2006 - 3:13 PM
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Nineteen Civil Guard officers have been arrested in connection with a Customs scam at Málaga airport.
The scam was apparently directed at passengers arriving at the airport from China, who were told that they had to pay a sum of 50 euros to avoid having their luggage confiscated.
The investigation, which began several months ago after an internal investigation within the Civil Guard force, has determined that this was a ‘habitual’ practice on the part of a small group of officers at the airport.
It led members of the Chinese community on the Costa del Sol to warn friends and family who were travelling to Málaga, to come prepared with 50 euro notes to prevent problems when they arrived at Customs.
At least ten of the officers originally arrested could face charges in the case, and so far five have been imprisoned by the instruction judge.