Spanish police dismantle six illegal tobacco factories, seizing 20 million cigarettes and arresting 50 in EU-wide operation
The Guardia Civil, with Europol support, dismantled six clandestine tobacco factories across six provinces, arresting 50 suspects and seizing 20 million cigarettes valued at over €10 million.
International operation leads to 50 arrests
The Guardia Civil, with Europol and Polish and Lithuanian agencies, dismantled two international criminal networks that ran six illegal cigarette factories in Spain. Executed on 9 July 2026, the operation involved around 300 personnel and resulted in 50 arrests after 23 searches across Alicante, Cuenca, Huelva, Murcia, Sevilla, and Toledo. Two suspects face extradition to Poland. A Lithuanian national monitored by Europol since 2015 was among the key figures on the ground.
Clandestine factories across six provinces
The factories were sound- and odour-bunkered, operating 24 hours a day in three eight-hour shifts. Workers lived on-site, almost in semi-slavery conditions. Each facility could be dismantled and relocated within a week. Together they produced eight million cigarettes (400,000 packs) daily, using raw tobacco imported from India, China, and the UAE.
Illegal tobacco does not carry the social stigma it deserves, perhaps because we associate it with old-style smuggling.
Seizures and financial toll
Officers seized 20 million cigarettes and 38.4 tonnes of cut tobacco and leaf, with a market value exceeding €10 million. Also recovered were 18 vehicles, encrypted devices, €170,000 in cash, and firearms. The network is estimated to have made up to €200 million in annual profit, with daily revenue of around €2.5 million, of which 80% should have been taxed.
They sold packs at five euros, meaning four of those five euros should have been taxed, because tobacco is taxed at 80%.
Years-long investigation culminates
The investigation began over seven years ago after Europol shared intelligence from Poland and Lithuania. Operations in 2021 and 2023 provided evidence that the network was larger than initially thought, distributing to Portugal, France, and possibly the UK. Two judicial operations, Vernisa and Maidan-Cigalike, were overseen by courts in Tarancón and Elche. Seven of the detainees are in pre-trial detention as the investigation continues.
- Investigation begins based on Europol intelligence.
- First police operations yield further evidence.
- Additional operations expand information on criminal networks.
- Six factories raided, 50 arrested, 20 million cigarettes seized.
