Illegal cigarette production near Konin: police arrest six people
Police from Poznań dismantled an organised crime group producing tobacco without excise tax. The state could have lost over 3.5 million zloty.
Tobacco processing facility assembled in warehouse hall
According to farmer.pl, police officers from the provincial and municipal command in Poznań, working jointly with the District Prosecutor's Office in Konin, arrested six people suspected of illegally manufacturing tobacco products. Officers conducted searches at around a dozen locations on 27 and 29 October, until discovering a warehouse where tobacco processing was underway.
Police secured over two tonnes of finished shredded tobacco and machinery used for production. According to investigators, the group's activities exposed the state treasury to a loss of over 3.5 million zloty in unpaid excise tax. Five of those arrested were remanded in custody; the sixth was placed under a financial bond and police supervision.
Previous stage of investigation and prospects
This is another phase of a multi-month investigation. In July this year, Polish police had already arrested five people in the same case, seizing finished cigarettes; at that time the estimated loss to the state treasury was valued at 800 thousand zloty. The currently detained individuals have been charged with fiscal crimes, including participation in an organised crime group. They face up to eight years' imprisonment.
The prosecutor's office does not rule out further arrests, treating the case as ongoing.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)