Latvian and Lithuanian authorities target illegal cigarette networks

The Latvian Tax and Customs Police (NMP) has reported that organized crime groups are actively collaborating across borders in Latvia and neighboring countries to produce and distribute illegal cigarettes. This illegal manufacturing has become a widespread issue not only in Latvia but throughout the European Union.

Law enforcement agencies are conducting large-scale criminal investigations, leading to the seizure of significant quantities of illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and production materials, including foil, paper, glue, and filters. A recent major discovery included an illegal factory in Grobiņš.

In a related development, the Lithuanian Customs Criminal Investigation Service seized a truck originating from Latvia containing approximately 500,000 packs of illegal cigarettes valued at roughly €2.4 million. This represents the largest contraband cigarette seizure by Lithuanian customs this year. Data from previous years indicates that most contraband cigarettes seized in Lithuania are imported from Latvia, featuring counterfeit versions of both international brands and Belarusian cigarettes.