The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has seized two illegal cigarette factories near Rome. The facilities could produce up to four million cigarettes per day.
The main production plant was located in Pomezia, a few kilometres south of Rome. The factory covered more than 4,000 square metres. Officers from the Guardia di Finanza found 27 tonnes of cigarettes and 19 tonnes of tobacco inside. They also seized 134 pallets of packaging materials bearing the logos of well-known brands.
A second warehouse in Ferentino, in the province of Frosinone, handled packaging and distribution. From there, the cigarettes were shipped across Europe.
Four articulated lorries used for transport were also seized. Seven suspects have been referred to the Italian judicial authorities. They are of Bulgarian and Ukrainian nationality.
Investigators believe the group used jammers and frequency detectors to avoid police surveillance. These measures made locating the cigarette factories particularly difficult. The suspects face charges of possession of contraband tobacco products and trademark counterfeiting.
Fraud equates to income of around €240million a year
The EPPO estimates the factories produced cigarettes worth €700,000 per day. This equals around €240 million per year. The alleged fraud caused an estimated €160 million in unpaid taxes and excise duties.
The investigation was led by the EPPO office in Palermo, working with the Italian Public Prosecutor’s Office. Financial police units in Palermo, Rome and Frosinone carried out the seizures. The seized facilities are valued at more than €2 million.
The EPPO is the European Union’s independent public prosecution office. It investigates and prosecutes crimes that harm the EU’s financial interests.
