Viterbo authorities dismantle illegal cigarette factory

Authorities in Viterbo, Italy, have dismantled an illegal cigarette manufacturing facility in the Settevene area. The operation, conducted by the Guardia di Finanza, resulted in eight arrests and the seizure of approximately 20 tons of tobacco, including both raw materials and finished products.

During the raid, officers discovered a fully functional factory designed to bypass state monopoly regulations. The facility featured soundproofed rooms with acoustic panels to mask the noise of the machinery. Seven individuals of Paraguayan nationality were caught working inside the plant, while an Italian driver was arrested in flagrante after being stopped in a truck carrying 6 tons of counterfeit cigarettes.

The investigation began after a patrol in Civita Castellana noticed suspicious cargo movements near a warehouse. While the counterfeit packaging appeared high-quality, investigators identified the fraud by noting that every cigarette pack carried the same serial number.