Customs Surveillance Service

The Customs Surveillance Service (, SVA) is a law enforcement agency of the Spanish Ministry of Finance, integrated in the Spanish Tax Agency. Its responsibilities include the investigation and prosecution of cases involving contraband, illegal drugs, financial evasion and violations, money laundering, surveillance for financial police purposes and the provision of judicial police services. Its activities can be compared in USA with agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration, ATF, or some of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
History.
Origins.
The origin of the service goes back to the creation of a paramilitary organization (called in Spanish "Resguardo") to protect the monopoly of tobacco of the Tabacalera (the oldest tobacco company in the world), a Spanish tobacco monopoly which was established in 1636. The primary duty of the "Resguardo" was to protect the monopoly that the State exercised over the tobacco, combatting smuggling since its trade was one of the primary sources of funds of the Spanish Royal Treasury between the seventeenth and the 18th centuries.
Recent history.
Recent history of the service begins in 1944 with the creation of the "Servicio Especial de Vigilancia Marítima y Terrestre de Tabacalera S.A." (Special Service of Maritime and Terrestrial Surveillance from Tabacalera) charged of preventing the tobacco contraband. In 1954 due to the ineffectiveness of the service its duties were assumed by the Spanish Treasury who reorganized the service and created the "Servicio Especial de Vigilancia Fiscal" (Special Service of Fiscal Surveillance), made up of military and civilian personnel, which assumed the task of fighting the contraband. In 1982 the service was reorganized under the "Servicio de Vigilancia Aduanera" (Customs Surveillance Service) and its duties were broadened to include the investigation of economic crimes and the fight against illegal drugs, among other roles.
Activities.
The most common duties of the SVA are regulated by the "Royal Decree 319/1982" and the "Organic Law against contraband 12/1995".
Those are the investigation, discovery and prosecution of contraband violations throughout the nation, territorial waters and airspace. The force also has powers conferred by the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) regarding economic crimes, including the fight against corruption, fraud investigation in foreign trade and money laundering, among other roles.
The SVA cooperates with international and European organizations such as the European Anti-Fraud Office, Europol or the World Customs Organization.
Organisation.
Central Services.
The Deputy Directorate of Customs Surveillance () is integrated into the Department of Customs and Special Taxes () of the Spanish Tax Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The customs headquarters is in Madrid.
Department of Customs and Special Taxes
Territorial Services.
Regional Operations Area
Armament and equipment.
Air.
The aircraft fleet consists of CASA C-212 Aviocar maritime patrol aircraft and MBB Bo 105, Dauphin and BK117 helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter.
Maritime.
The maritime component of the Customs Surveillance Service is one of the largest employed by the Spanish Government with approximately 90 vessels in service.
The maritime units of the service are classed as Spanish Navy Auxiliary vessels "(Decree 1002/1961, of maritime surveillance)".
Maritime Special Operations Units
The Special Operations Units of the Customs Maritime Service are responsible for tracking drug shipments from foreign points-of-origin and interdicting them in international waters, supported by the investigations of ground staff.
Ground forces.
Most of the vehicles used are unmarked while some of them are marked, specially those deployed in airports and seaports or in specific operations.
They also are equipped with mobile scanners for non-intrusive inspections. Investigation units have special equipment to accomplish their missions like thermal cameras, interceptions devices, etc.
Small Arms.
Spanish Customs Agents are armed with the 9mm Heckler & Koch USP Compact pistols and Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns. Also 7.62mm MG3 and .50 caliber M2 machine guns are mounted on vessels.