Fake brands and millions in losses: Greek police uncovered a cigarette smuggling network

Greek police reported the dismantling of a large international criminal network involved in illegal production and dissemination smuggled cigarettes in Greece and beyond.

According to EΛ.ΑΣ.the organization operated as a well-structured structure with a clear hierarchy, industrial equipment, warehouses, a transport network and a system of secrecy.

The criminal activity took place both domestically and internationally, including deliveries to European Union states and third countries. The organization operated clandestine factories in Attica, Sterea Hellas, Euboea and Magnesia.

Code system

To hide their activities, network participants used special code words.

In telephone conversations, operational vehicles were called “κινέζος” (“Chinese”), police – “καρούμπαλο” (“bump”), and dummies – “τσουβάλια” (“bags”)

In addition, the designations “γαϊδούρια”, “W” and “d” were used to disguise the names of well-known tobacco brands.

Industrial scale of underground production

According to police, the network had three fully equipped clandestine factories, tobacco cutting and packaging lines, and warehouse infrastructure.

In recent years alone, the organization has been able to produce millions of cigarettes in a single shipment using counterfeit packaging bearing the logos of well-known brands.

Products were transported by trucks with foreign license plates, often with forged documents and fictitious invoices.

Financial scheme and damage to the state

Financial activities were conducted primarily in cash, with no banking trace. The rental of premises, the purchase of raw materials and payments were carried out through proxies.

Over eight years, renting facilities cost the network more than 1.2 million euros.

The total damage to the state budget, according to the investigation, exceeded 7 million euros in the form of unpaid taxes and customs duties.

Results of the operation

During the special operation they were detained 26 peopleincluding the leaders of the organization. Additionally, others are under investigation 13 personsincluding one police officer.

During the searches the following were seized:

• more 14 million cigarettes,
• 20 tons tobacco,
• over 1.2 million euros in cash,
• weapons and ammunition,
• dozens of cars and trucks,
• hundreds of electronic devices and tracking devices.

All detainees were handed over to the prosecutor’s office. They are charged with creating a criminal organization, smuggling, forgery of documents and money laundering.

Context

According to law enforcement agencies, this case demonstrates the high level of professionalization of the shadow economy and the growing integration of Greek criminal structures into international schemes.

Smuggling of tobacco products remains one of the most profitable segments of the illegal business, causing direct damage to the budget and the healthcare system.

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