On 6 August 2019, OLAF reported that the Spanish Supreme Court confirmed the findings of OLAF investigations on evaded customs duties with regard to tuna imports from El Salvador. OLAF had investigated allegations of irregularities in tuna exports from El Salvador into the European Union, which did not meet the origin requirements of the EU’s Generalised System of Preference scheme.

The investigations extended beyond European borders and involved close cooperation between OLAF, Member States, and third countries. In 2010, OLAF concluded its investigations and recommended the recovery of €9.7 million to the EU budget. Since 2010, the case had been subject to Spanish court proceedings that were concluded in June 2019. The judgment of the Spanish Supreme Court is in line with OLAF’s findings and confirms the amount of €9.7 million to be recovered to the EU budget.