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Lendava illegal cigarette factory uncovered in Slovenia
Slovenian authorities have uncovered one of the largest illegal cigarette production facilities in Europe near Lendava. The operation, located at a former refinery site, utilized advanced industrial machinery to process tobacco and package cigarettes intended for markets in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Investigators discovered that at least 34 foreign nationals, including 33 citizens of Paraguay and one from Bulgaria, were being held in inhumane conditions. The workers, who were reportedly lured from Paraguay with promises of monthly salaries reaching up to 10,000 euros, were victims of human trafficking. They were held under constant video surveillance, denied mobile phones and freedom of movement, and forced to work 12-hour shifts in rooms lacking proper ventilation or natural light.
Authorities seized approximately 44 tons of tobacco and 14 million cigarettes. The estimated loss in excise duties alone exceeds 9.8 million euros. The National Investigation Bureau is currently conducting a pre-trial proceeding involving suspected tax evasion and human trafficking. One suspect has been arrested, while police continue to search for a 50-year-old individual linked to the organized criminal group.
Entities
Dušan Pečnik · Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia · Lendava · Matuljevi · Mitja Jager · National Investigation Bureau · National Investigation Bureau of Slovenia · Pomurje
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The evaded excise duties are estimated to exceed 9.8 million euros. www.dnevno.hr · www.kurir.rs
- [● 4 SOURCES] The workers were transported to Slovenia via Zagreb. vojvodjanskireporter.rs · www.dnevno.hr · fenix-magazin.de · www.kurir.rs
- [● 8 SOURCES] Police discovered one of the largest illegal cigarette factories in Europe near Lendava, Slovenia. nasadolenjska.si · vojvodjanskireporter.rs · www.delo.si · www.dnevno.hr · fenix-magazin.de · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Workers were victims of human trafficking, lured by false promises of high monthly salaries up to 10,000 euros. vojvodjanskireporter.rs · fenix-magazin.de · www.kurir.rs
- [● 6 SOURCES] At least 34 foreign nationals, including 33 from Paraguay and one from Bulgaria, were held in the facility. vojvodjanskireporter.rs · www.prlekija-on.net · www.dnevno.hr · fenix-magazin.de · www.kurir.rs · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Workers were held in inhumane conditions, working 12-hour shifts without pay and under constant surveillance. vojvodjanskireporter.rs · fenix-magazin.de · www.kurir.rs · primorske.si
- [● 5 SOURCES] The factory contained 44 tons of tobacco and 14 million cigarettes. www.delo.si · www.dnevno.hr · fenix-magazin.de · www.kurir.rs · n1info.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The facility was equipped with modern production lines for tobacco processing, cigarette manufacturing, and packaging. www.delo.si · www.dnevno.hr · fenix-magazin.de