EPPO seizes a clandestine cigarette factory in Italy with over 21.5 tonnes of tobacco and finished cigarettes, uncovering a multimillion‑euro smuggling and counterfeiting operation

EPPO’s investigation uncovered a large-scale illicit tobacco production site in Italy, leading to the seizure of the facility and more than 215 tonnes of unregistered tobacco and finished cigarettes—items linked to tax evasion and organised criminal networks exploiting the EU single market. The action reflects EPPO’s expanding operational role in combating cross-border economic crime that drains public revenues and supports organised crime activities…