The first successful operation of Belgian customs officers this year to eliminate illegal cigarette production - tons of counterfeit products were seized from an inconspicuous warehouse in Wallonia. The state did not receive more than 47 million euros in duties for this product.
Belgian customs officers seized more than 12 million Chesterfield cigarettes from an illegal factory in the suburbs of Charleroi, in the central part of the kingdom
The illegal production was carried out in one of the warehouses. Judging by the inscription Smoking kills on the packs, the counterfeit was intended for the English market.
Since February 10 alone, the dealers have manufactured more than 100 million cigarettes, according to the "accounting books" found.
"These are huge volumes. 100 million cigarettes in two months is a lot," says Mikael Mustier, a customs representative. "And, of course, this is a lot of money! If you take into account only unpaid state duties, the treasury is short 47 million euros. And the cost of the products themselves is estimated at about 50 million."
Nine people were detained: 8 Ukrainian citizens and 1 Portuguese.
The production, which can hardly be called artisanal, was carried out both day and night. The workers had bedrooms, a kitchen and even a "fitness corner" at their disposal.
Searches were also carried out in warehouses in the communes of Ransard, La Louvière and Montigny-sur-Sambre, as well as in private homes in Châtelet.
In 2023, Belgian customs confiscated more than 345 million counterfeit cigarettes, more than 137 tons of smoking tobacco and more than 16 tons of raw tobacco.
Belgian customs officers seized more than 12 million Chesterfield cigarettes from an illegal factory in the suburbs of Charleroi, in the central part of the kingdom
The illegal production was carried out in one of the warehouses. Judging by the inscription Smoking kills on the packs, the counterfeit was intended for the English market.
Since February 10 alone, the dealers have manufactured more than 100 million cigarettes, according to the "accounting books" found.
"These are huge volumes. 100 million cigarettes in two months is a lot," says Mikael Mustier, a customs representative. "And, of course, this is a lot of money! If you take into account only unpaid state duties, the treasury is short 47 million euros. And the cost of the products themselves is estimated at about 50 million."
Nine people were detained: 8 Ukrainian citizens and 1 Portuguese.
The production, which can hardly be called artisanal, was carried out both day and night. The workers had bedrooms, a kitchen and even a "fitness corner" at their disposal.
Searches were also carried out in warehouses in the communes of Ransard, La Louvière and Montigny-sur-Sambre, as well as in private homes in Châtelet.
In 2023, Belgian customs confiscated more than 345 million counterfeit cigarettes, more than 137 tons of smoking tobacco and more than 16 tons of raw tobacco.
