In Spain, the police, in cooperation with Europol, dismantled a network that exploited refugees from Ukraine in illegal cigarette factories and smuggled large amounts of tobacco. The detectives were able to seize more than 3.5 million packs of cigarettes during raids in various cities.
In the course of the investigation, 27 people have been arrested in different parts of Spain, the Guarda Civil announced on Sunday. The seized cigarettes and ten tons of unprocessed leaf tobacco had a total value of 37.5 million euros.
Exploited Ukrainian refugees
Asylum seekers who fled Ukraine because of Russia’s war of aggression and lived “crowded together” in emergency shelters worked in the three tobacco factories illegally operated by the network. To avoid being discovered, they were not allowed to leave the factory premises and had to work extremely long hours, the police statement said.
The factories in the La Rioja region in the north, Seville and Valencia were equipped with “advanced technology” machines and could produce 540,000 packs of cigarettes per day.
Sold in Spain and abroad
The cigarettes were therefore sold throughout Spain and abroad. The network’s leaders are said to be widely involved in money laundering and “living a life of luxury” in the exclusive resort of Marbella on the Costa del Sol.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
