Slovak Financial Administration has seized almost 24 million cigarettes, more than 32 tonnes of tobacco and a production line in an illegal cigarette factory in eastern Slovakia as part of an operation codenamed 'Swimmer'. 20 people have been detained and the losses in terms of excise tax on tobacco have been calculated at €6.2 million, the largest amount related to a seizure from 2018. "By detecting the illegal cigarette production workshop, we've managed to protect the state budget from further tax evasion amounting to millions of euros. The factory was able to produce 1.3 million cigarettes daily," said Financial Administration President Jiří Žežulka. The production line has been in operation since the beginning of October.
In addition to cigarettes and tobacco, the Administration also seized vehicles, components for cigarette production, phone cards and GPS-signal jammers. The illegal factory on the premises of a poultry farm was in full operation, with 17 foreigners found working there during the raid. This concerned professional producers, said Zezulka. "A judge remanded 20 people detained during the raid in custody, as there were fears that they might continue their illegal activities or flee or hide to avoid criminal prosecution," said FA Criminal Office's head Peter Grič. The illegal cigarettes were probably destined for the European market. FS also managed to detain three people from middle management and continues to search further in cooperation with foreign authorities. The perpetrators could be sent to prison for eight years.
Source: TASR
