Pole arrested in Italy as head of criminal cigarette smuggling organisation
A 60-year-old Polish citizen was arrested in Italy as the suspected head of an organisation that operated a clandestine tobacco products factory. Authorities seized over 40 tonnes of tobacco.
Pole arrested in Italy as head of criminal cigarette smuggling organisation
Italian law enforcement dismantled a secret tobacco products factory located in Reggio Emilia, in the north of the country. The facility operated illegally in the cellars of a former warehouse in the Villaggio Crostolo district, reportedly since January of the previous year.
During the operation, conducted by the Guardia di Finanza and other police units, more than 40 tonnes of tobacco were confiscated. Several workers, mainly from Belarus, Ukraine and Latvia, were arrested.
The investigation, coordinated by the Reggio Emilia prosecutor's office, made use of telephone intercepts. Through these, investigators established that the illegal activity had been underway since April of the year before. For several months, law enforcement kept watch on a truck that left the building regularly.
In November of last year, the vehicle was stopped and seven tonnes of counterfeit cigarettes, imitations of a well-known commercial brand, were found inside. Further arrests followed in the days that followed.
In total, approximately 33 tonnes of tobacco were seized. Among those detained is a 60-year-old Polish citizen, suspected of directing and overseeing the entire criminal operation. A 50-year-old Italian, owner of a company in Germany authorised to purchase tobacco, was also arrested.
According to reports from the Ansa news agency, the facility was capable of producing over one million counterfeit cigarettes per day. Considering black market prices, in just six months the activity could have generated estimated profits of up to 32 million euros.
Source: Interia