German customs bust illegal cigarette factories and counterfeit goods

German customs agents carried out a large‑scale raid on July 21, 2026 at an illegal cigarette‑manufacturing site in Haldensleben, Saxony‑Anhalt. The operation seized about eight million untaxed cigarettes, 40 tonnes of tobacco and more than 300 pallets of production materials such as filters, paper and packaging. Authorities estimate a tax loss of €1.5 million for the cigarettes and an additional €3.8 million for the tobacco. No arrests were made, but investigations indicate at least 22 workers were involved in the hidden factory.

In a separate incident, customs officers from the main customs office in Augsburg inspected a regional bus and uncovered 8 280 concealed cigarettes along with 144 pieces of counterfeit branded clothing, including T‑shirts, jerseys and trousers. The driver and passengers, who were from Turkey, reported no undeclared goods. Legal proceedings for suspected trademark infringement have been opened against the bus driver.