The State Agency “National Security” has acquired information about the activities of international organized criminal groups involved in the construction of illegal factories for the production of cigarettes, their supply with raw materials and consumables, employment of workers, logistical assurance and placement of the finished product, as well as financing of all criminal activity. In parallel with this, the operation of channels for smuggling cigarette products without a banderol has been established.
In 2023 and 2024, coordination was carried out with the partner services of Spain and a complex of activities was carried out to document and intercept the criminal activity of groups engaged in illegal production and sale of tobacco products.
It has been established that the funds acquired from criminal activity are introduced into the financial circulation by means of mechanisms for “laundering” them.
In the final phase of the operation, in the months of March and April 2024, two illegal factories were discovered in the Spanish cities of Madrid and Lucena with equipment for the production, packaging and distribution of cigarette products of well-known brands.
A total of 20 people were arrested as alleged members of a criminal organization, fifteen of whom are Bulgarian citizens.
More than six million short fake cigarettes were seized, as well as 33 tons of raw tobacco with a total value of more than 7.5 million euros.
The investigation remains open and further action has not been ruled out.
Tags: DANS Spanish authorities broke international smuggling group Bulgarians detained Photos
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