The Guardia Civil has arrested a gang that sold contraband tobacco from Gibraltar, Andorra and the Canaries throughout Spain.

Nine persons were arrested in Seville and officers seized 12,350 cartons of tobacco, nine cars and E240,000 in cash.

“The gang introduced large quantities of tobacco from the Canaries, Gibraltar and Andorra into Spain, and sold it throughout the peninsula but especially in Andalucía and Galicia,” the Guardia Civil said in a statement.

The gang members enjoyed “a high level of living with luxury houses and cars”.

One of those arrested was also found in possession of a handgun.

The arrests underscore longstanding concerns that organised criminals have targeted the lucrative cross-border trade in contraband tobacco.