Fourteen workers at the Tenerife South airport in Spain’s Canary Islands were arrested on suspicion of stealing items from checked-in baggage. The police statement said that the employees were found in possession of allegedly stolen items worth almost 2 million euros, including 13,000 euros in cash. Another 20 airport employees are also under investigation in connection with the case.
The Tenerife South airport is one of Spain’s main airports for tourists, handling about 11 million passengers annually, most of whom are European tourists seeking the pleasant climate of the islands. An increase in passenger complaints about missing items from their luggage prompted the investigation into the thefts, which occurred as baggage was being put in the aircrafts’ hold.
Inside the hold, the alleged thieves forced open suitcases, removed valuables, and then closed the suitcases again. The stolen items that were seized by authorities include 29 luxury wristwatches, 120 pieces of jewelry, 22 high-end cellphones, and various electronic devices. According to police, many other stolen items were sold online or in local stores by the suspects.