The Customs Surveillance Service is a law enforcement agency of the SpanishMinistry 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 to protect the monopoly of tobacco of the Tabacalera, 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. 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, 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 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 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.
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'.
Special Operations ships: 2 Ships for Special Operations and counterdrug patrols. These ships have both a medium helicopter deck, Long Range Interceptors and Deployable Pursuit Boats, detention cells, etc.High Endurance ships: 18 of different classes. Equipped with Deployable Pursuit Boats.Medium Endurance ships and High Speed Interception boats: 24 different classes. Depending of which class they are they carry Deployable Pursuit Boats.
Others, including Rigid Inflatable Boats, boats seized from smugglers and used by the service, etc.
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.
