Customs thwart illegal cigarette trade in the EU and UK: 17 arrests and 67 million cigarettes seized

Law enforcement authorities from 15 EU Member States* and the UK teamed up last month to dismantle a criminal network illegally trading cigarettes. Supported by Europol and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the joint operation took place between 2 and 13 November 2020. Led by the customs departments of Lithuania and the UK, the operation was facilitated by intelligence analysis of excise duty suspension abuse.

Article Link: https://www.europol.europa.eu/newsroom/news/customs-thwart-illegal-cigarette-trade-in-eu-and-uk-17-arrests-and-67-million-cigarettes-seized