Czech-Polish-Slovak effort thwarts illegal cigarette gang

The Czech customs service arrested 13 people in May on charges of illegal cigarette production. The detained are accused of causing the state CZK 111 million in lost consumer tax revenues. The arrests followed a coordinated operation including Czech, Polish and Slovak customs offers investigating illegal tobacco products.

The Czech side uncovered 8.5 million fake cigarettes, mainly passing as Marlboro brand, after a tip-off from their Polish colleagues.