A large group of people have been arrested on suspicion of systematically stealing from checked baggage at the Canary Islands' largest airport.

A total of 14 people employed at the airport – the southernmost and largest on the island of Tenerife – have been arrested. A further 20 people are being investigated.

Spanish police have seized items and cash with a total value equivalent to just over 20 million kronor.

The baggage handling system began to be investigated when the number of complaints from passengers who had lost items began to rapidly increase, according to police.

The thefts appear to have occurred while bags were being loaded onto the plane. Aircraft loaders are suspected of breaking open bags, quickly emptying them of valuables, and then closing them again.

Among the police's seizures are a large number of watches, jewelry, phones and other electronics. Much of it is also believed to have been resold.

More than eleven million passengers travel to or from the airport in question each year.

Source: TT-DI.SE