Multi-agency meeting targeting illicit cigarette production

On 14 November 2019, Europol’s AP Smoke organised an operational meeting at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague. This multi-agency meeting was attended by authorities from the Netherlands (FIOD), Belgium (Customs), Sweden (Customs), and Spain (Guardia Civil). The meeting targeted an international organised crime group engaged in illicit cigarette production, drug and cigarette smuggling and money laundering.
 
Following the operational meeting an action day was carried out on 25 November, during which the Belgium Customs raided an illegal cigarette factory in Lanaken, Belgium. Eight arrests were made and a complete production line was seized, preventing it from being packed and moved to another location.