Latvian police dismantle large-scale illegal cigarette ring

The Latvian State Police has concluded a multi-year investigation into a professional organized crime group involved in the large-scale illegal production and sale of cigarettes across Latvia and other European countries. The criminal process has been forwarded to the Riga District Prosecution Office against 16 individuals, including the suspected group leader, Rēzekne businessman Elmārs Laizāns.

Operating since at least August 2013, the group engaged in the illegal manufacturing, storage, transport, and smuggling of tobacco products, as well as money laundering. The investigation, conducted in cooperation with Europol and Eurojust, estimates that the group caused a financial loss to Latvia exceeding 84.7 million euros.

Authorities have seized significant assets linked to the criminal activity, including 108 real estate properties valued at 5.7 million euros, 57 vehicles worth over 1.7 million euros, shares in 17 companies, jewelry, cash, and bank funds. The police noted that the group utilized professional tactics to evade detection and engaged in targeted counter-activities to obstruct the investigation.