Slovenia uncovers largest illegal cigarette factory and human trafficking ring

illegal cigarette factory human trafficking Lendava counterfeit tobacco modern slavery

Slovenian authorities have uncovered the largest illegal cigarette factory in the country's history, located in an industrial hall in the Trimlini zone near Lendava. The discovery was made by the Financial Administration (FURS) on October 13, 2026, after officials intercepted a suspicious truck traveling between Lendava and the Petišovci border crossing.

The facility was fully equipped for the production, filtration, and packaging of counterfeit cigarettes from major global brands. The estimated value of the seized counterfeit goods is approximately 30 million euros, making it one of the largest such seizures in the European Union recently.

Beyond illegal tobacco production, the investigation has shifted toward human trafficking and modern slavery. Authorities found at least 20 foreign nationals, believed to be from Paraguay, living and working under inhumane conditions. Victims reported being held in the facility for weeks without access to daylight, sleeping in the production hall, and receiving food only at night. The National Investigation Bureau (NPU) is leading the inquiry into the organized crime group suspected of recruiting and exploiting these workers.

Entities

Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia · Lendava · National Investigation Bureau · Paraguay · Pomurje · Slovenian Financial Administration · Trimlini

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Financial Administration discovered a fully equipped illegal cigarette production facility on October 13, 2026. obalaplus.si · www.times.si
[● 2 SOURCES] Authorities are investigating suspicions of human trafficking related to the discovery. obalaplus.si · www.times.si
[● 2 SOURCES] The facility is the largest illegal cigarette production site discovered in Slovenia to date. obalaplus.si · www.times.si
[● 3 SOURCES] The estimated value of the seized counterfeit goods is approximately 30 million euros. skopje1.mk · www.times.si · www.24ur.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Workers reported they had not seen daylight for at least 25 days. mojadijaspora.com · skopje1.mk · radiosarajevo.ba · telegrafi.com · www.index.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] At least 20 foreign nationals, believed to be from Paraguay, were held in the facility. mojadijaspora.com · skopje1.mk · www.times.si
[● 3 SOURCES] The factory was located in the Trimlini industrial zone near Lendava. mojadijaspora.com · skopje1.mk · www.times.si
[● 6 SOURCES] The investigation was triggered after officials stopped a suspicious truck between Lendava and Petišovci. mojadijaspora.com · skopje1.mk · www.times.si · www.24ur.com · telegrafi.com · +1 more