Detecting Concealed Substances: Cannabis Seizure Highlights Screening Challenges

On June 12, 2025, Spain’s Tax Agency Customs Surveillance Service, in collaboration with the Civil Guard, intercepted a shipment of Thai cannabis hidden in dehydrated food, resulting in the arrest of one person and the investigation of another suspected of receiving the merchandise.

The shipment, originating from Thailand and destined for Fuengirola (Málaga), contained 128 trays of dehydrated food, each concealing small bags of flowering cannabis tops, totaling 6.5 kilograms. After confirming the nature of the substance, authorities conducted a controlled delivery operation to identify the recipients, culminating in the arrest and investigation. The seized substance was sent to the Foreign Health Department for analysis.

This operation, carried out jointly by the Operational Unit of the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency in Seville and the Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation Unit (UDAIF) of the Civil Guard at Seville Airport, underscores the ongoing challenges of detecting concealed substances in international shipments.

The SAUST EU-funded Project is addressing these challenges with its high-resolution vapor screening technology, designed to enhance detection capabilities, improve accuracy, and streamline screening processes, all while maintaining baggage and shipment integrity. By applying such innovative solutions, SAUST contributes to safer and more efficient border security operations.

Learn more here.