German Customs Bust Illegal Cigarette Factory, Seize 20 Million Untaxed Cigarettes

German customs officials have dismantled an illegal cigarette factory, seizing nearly 20 million untaxed cigarettes and over 16 tons of tobacco in a large-scale operation across several federal states. The bust, which occurred between May 20-22, also led to the arrest of four men aged between 25 and 54, who have been placed in pre-trial detention by the Bielefeld District Court.

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The tax damage is around 5.4 million euros.

The suspects are accused by the public prosecutor's office in Bielefeld of being responsible for the production and sale of untaxed cigarettes. The estimated tax damage amounts to approximately 5.4 million euros. Investigators believe the accused may have handled more than 80 million cigarettes nationwide, with at least some originating from the seized production facility.

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Four men between the ages of 25 and 54 were arrested.

The operation focused on a former factory site in Staudt, Rhineland-Palatinate, where investigators found the illegal production line along with substantial quantities of tobacco, filters, paper tubes, and packaging materials. A warehouse in Ahlen, North Rhine-Westphalia, yielded around ten million untaxed cigarettes, with another nine million found on a rural property near Rüsselsheim, Hesse.

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The property was elaborately built, professionally soundproofed, and equipped with a video surveillance system.

Evidence suggests the facility was elaborately constructed, professionally soundproofed, and equipped with a video surveillance system. At least eleven workers were reportedly held in the premises for extended periods under questionable living conditions to ensure the production remained undetected. The operation involved over 120 personnel, including special customs units, police, and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief.

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At least eleven workers were reportedly held in the premises for extended periods under questionable living conditions.