Organised crime driving illicit cigarette factory boom ‘in almost every EU state’
Summary
A report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) shows that illegal cigarette production is growing across the European Union, with nearly 9% of cigarettes being made or smuggled illegally. This illicit trade causes big tax losses, supports criminal gangs, and makes cheap tobacco more available, especially for young people.Key Facts
- About 8.8% of cigarettes consumed in the EU in 2023 were illicitly produced or smuggled.
- Illegal cigarette factories operate in almost every EU country, often run by organized crime groups.
- These factories use advanced equipment and work for a few months before shutting down or moving.
- A factory in Belgium had 50 workers producing 1 million cigarettes per hour on four production lines.
- Police raids in Spain seized 3 million packs of illegal cigarettes and arrested 20 people.
- Cross-border criminal operations supply cigarettes to multiple countries, including a recent case in France.
- The illegal trade causes an estimated €13 billion loss in tax revenue yearly in the EU.
- EU laws are not fully aligned, and enforcement varies by country, helping criminals exploit weaker areas.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
