European law enforcement agencies, working with the EU's anti-fraud office (OLAF) and Europol, have dismantled two international criminal networks based in Spain, seizing 20 million cigarettes and 38.4 tonnes of tobacco leaf and cut tobacco. The illicit supply chain, which manufactured, distributed, and trafficked counterfeit tobacco products, is estimated to be worth €10 million, according to an OLAF press release.
Coordinated Raids Across Spain
Last month, officers conducted 23 searches at homes, commercial premises, and industrial warehouses across the Spanish provinces of Alicante, Cuenca, Huelva, Murcia, Sevilla, and Toledo. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of 18 vehicles, tobacco manufacturing equipment, encrypted electronic devices, €170,000 in cash, and several firearms. A total of 50 people were arrested, including two suspects who have since been handed over to Polish authorities.
The operation brought together Spain's Guardia Civil, Poland's Central Bureau of Investigation, Portugal's National Republican Guard, Lithuania's Criminal Police Bureau, OLAF, and Europol. This cross-border collaboration highlights the EU's commitment to tackling organised crime that exploits the single market for illicit gains.
"Smoking is dangerous," OLAF chief Petr Klement said. "Smoking counterfeit cigarettes is even worse."
Klement added: "On top of the harm to health, every illicit cigarette robs taxpayers and rewards organised crime."
The scale of the seizure is significant: 20 million cigarettes and over 38 tonnes of tobacco represent a major blow to the black market. Counterfeit tobacco products often bypass safety regulations, posing additional health risks to consumers. The operation also underscores the growing sophistication of criminal networks, which used encrypted devices to evade detection.
This is not the first time European authorities have targeted counterfeit goods. Earlier this year, over 200,000 counterfeit condoms were seized in Europe after bypassing safety checks, highlighting the broader challenge of fake products entering the market.
OLAF said that investigations remain ongoing, suggesting further arrests or seizures may follow. The agency continues to work with national authorities to disrupt the supply chains that fund organised crime across the continent.
The operation comes amid broader efforts to combat illicit trade in the EU. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has also been active, with recent raids targeting a defunct far-right EU group over a €4.3 million fraud. Such coordinated actions demonstrate the EU's increasing capacity to tackle cross-border crime.
For consumers, the message is clear: counterfeit cigarettes are not only illegal but also dangerous. The EU advises purchasing tobacco products only from licensed retailers to avoid the health and legal risks associated with the black market.
