Dutch investigators from the Fiscale Inlichtingen- en Opsporingsdienst seized 12.5 million illegal cigarettes in three separate operations over the past two weeks, preventing an estimated €4.2 million in lost excise revenue, according to the Ministry of Finance. The first haul, more than 3.5 million cigarettes, was uncovered on Jan. 28 in Rotterdam hidden inside a container of plastic crates, while a second seizure of 6.5 million cigarettes followed a customs check at Rotterdam port, where cartons were concealed within wooden sauna crates. A further 2.5 million cigarettes were found in raids at premises in Vlijmen and a warehouse in Den Bosch, with authorities stating the tobacco was intended for illegal sale in the Netherlands. One suspect has been arrested, and further arrests have not been ruled out.
Tag: police
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Greece Busts Major European Illicit Cigarette Ring
Greek police dismantled a highly organized criminal network that had been producing and exporting illegal cigarettes across Europe since 2018, causing state losses exceeding €7 million. In a large-scale operation on January 6, 300 officers raided multiple locations, arresting 26 suspects, including the alleged leaders, while investigating two additional individuals. Authorities said the group operated illegal factories and warehouses, used counterfeit packaging, relied on coded communications and strawmen to conceal identities, and handled finances largely in cash. Police seized 14.4 million cigarettes, 20 tons of processed tobacco, €1.2 million in cash, vehicles, weapons, and electronic equipment. The network reportedly shipped products to several European countries, including Slovakia, and suspects now face charges linked to organized crime, smuggling, money laundering, and arms violations.
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Australians Seize Machine Capable of Making 3.5M Cigarettes a Day
Australian authorities seized a cigarette manufacturing machine capable of producing 3.5 million cigarettes a day during a raid on a Sydney storage unit linked to an alleged illicit tobacco syndicate, the Australian Border Force (ABF) said. The Rouse Hill facility also contained 7.5 kilograms of loose tobacco, nearly 6,000 vaping device components, and suspected counterfeit packaging. No arrests have been made, and investigations with NSW Police are ongoing.
The seizure comes amid a broader crackdown on illegal tobacco products, with the ABF reporting more than 2.5 billion illicit cigarettes seized nationally in 2024–25 and a federal review estimating illegal products account for at least half of Australia’s tobacco market. NSW Health has also closed 52 stores in recent weeks under expanded enforcement powers targeting suspected illicit tobacco and vape sales.
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Australian Officials Seize $1.1M in Illegal Tobacco Products
Two men in Australia have been charged following the seizure of more than A$1.6 million ($1.1 million) worth of illegal tobacco and vaping products during a joint law enforcement operation in Sydney’s southwest district.
Police executed a search warrant at a Riverwood warehouse January 19, seizing 40,000 branded cigarettes, more than 600 kg of molasses tobacco, loose-leaf tobacco, nicotine pouches, vapes, and other assorted cigarettes, along with mobile phones and electronic devices. A 44-year-old man was arrested at the premises and charged with possessing a commercial quantity of vaping goods, while a 26-year-old man was arrested nearby and charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime and possession of a prohibited weapon after police allegedly found cash and an electronic stun device in his vehicle.
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Canadian Police Dismantle Vape Shop Theft Ring
Two suspects were arrested in connection with multiple vape shop break-ins across Western Ontario, Canada. Police said the investigation began in November and resulted in the recovery of thousands of vaping products valued at about C$150,000 ($108,000), and was connected to a commercial storefront in Brampton, Ontario. The Canadian Vaping Association said the case highlights a broader rise in targeted thefts against vape retailers following sharp excise tax increases in 2024, which significantly raised retail prices and increased the resale value of legally compliant products, making them more attractive to organized theft and potentially feeding illicit markets where age-verification safeguards do not apply.
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Cambodian Police Bust ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of Illicit Vapes
Cambodian authorities seized more than 300,000 vaping and smoking-related devices and arrested a shop owner following a high-profile raid on an illegal vape outlet described by police as an “Aladdin’s cave.” The operation targeted a location known as the “Mystery House” in Daun Penh district, a nightlife area of the capital.
Authorities arrested the owner and confiscated 268,504 electronic smoking devices, 69,615 cigarette heads, 792 bottles of vape liquid and 443 marijuana grinders. Police estimated the value of the seized items at more than $1 million. Court documents show that 58-year-old Taing Sok Heng has been charged with possession and trafficking of electronic cigarettes, an offence that carries a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Officials said the shop was deliberately targeting schoolchildren and young people, with authorities acting on tips from youth in the area.
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Guam Police Required for School Smoking Incidents
Police in Guam will now respond to incidents involving students vaping or using tobacco products on public school campuses following a policy update by the Guam Department of Education (GDOE). Under revised Student Discipline SOP 1200-018, nicotine violations are now classified as behaviors requiring mandatory contact with the Guam Police Department (GPD).
Under the new procedure, GPD officers will confiscate tobacco or vaping devices, document the incident, issue a notice to appear before the Juvenile Section, and forward cases to the Office of the Attorney General. The policy takes effect immediately after school administrators confirm a violation and notify a student’s parent or guardian, at which point GDOE will initiate a call for police service.
GDOE said the change follows a rise in vaping and nicotine violations on campuses and guidance from GPD leadership, citing the need to enforce the Youth Protection Act of 2017.
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Hong Kong Customs Seizes $3M in Untaxed Cigs
Hong Kong Customs seized about seven million untaxed cigarettes valued at HK$31.5 million ($4.1 million), with an estimated duty potential of HK$23 million ($3 million), during a raid on an industrial building in Fo Tan on December 30. A 45-year-old local man was arrested after officers spotted him moving cartons from a unit late at night, discovering about 600,000 cigarettes on him and another 6.4 million inside the premises.
Customs said the roughly 1,000-square-foot warehouse, formed by merging two units, contained large quantities of cigarettes and packaging materials, indicating plans to repackage and smuggle the products to overseas markets with higher tobacco taxes. Some illicit brands appeared to be stockpiled for the Christmas and New Year period. Authorities said investigations into the source and distribution network are ongoing, and further arrests are possible.
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Russian Police Seize $1.6M in Illicit Vapes
Russian police in the Tambov region seized more than 150,000 e-cigarettes, along with cartridges and liquids worth about 126.5 million rubles ($1.6 million). Authorities said the products were shipped from Moscow disguised as small household appliances and supported by fake documents. Testing found nicotine levels significantly higher than stated on the packaging. A man has been detained, and a criminal case has been opened for the storage and sale of unmarked e-cigarettes.
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Hong Kong Customs Seizes 240,000 Illicit Cigarettes in Raid
On Wednesday (November 12), Hong Kong Customs raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage center in Kwai Chung, seizing approximately 240,000 cigarettes with an estimated market value of HK$1.1 million ($140,000) and potential duties of HK$790,000 ($103,000). Customs investigation revealed that the syndicate used hotel rooms as temporary storage, employing an “ant-moving-home” distribution method to evade detection. During the raid, officers intercepted 80,000 cigarettes from four men and later seized an additional 160,000 cigarettes from a hotel room, arresting a fifth individual. The suspects have been charged under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and are scheduled to appear at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.