Illegal tobacco ring smashed during international operation
Europol says an "international organised crime group" was suspected of storing about 670,000 kilos of tobacco.
Monday 28 October 2019 19:41, UK
Police and customs officers from seven countries including the UK have arrested 18 people on suspicion of money laundering and illegal tobacco trading.
An "international organised crime group" has been "dismantled", Europol said.
Those arrested are also suspected of storing about 670,000 kilos of tobacco.
Dutch authorities lost approximately €70m (£60m) in customs and excise duties to the illegal traders, Europol added.
A total of 29 searches took place in Italy, Poland, Belgium, the UK and the Netherlands, it said.
The tobacco was allegedly bought in Italy, processed and sold to traders for use in illegal cigarette factories.
The criminal network also played a role in the brokerage of cigarettes and bought, sold and repaired machinery for their production.
A special taskforce was set up in February 2018 between Europol, HM Revenue & Customs and FIOD, the Dutch fiscal information and investigation service.
More than 250 police and customs officers were deployed during the "action day" in the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, Poland and Belgium.