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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 11 sources · 22 days · First seen about 1 month ago · Last updated 11 days ago

Illegal cigarette production in Slovenia

Overview

Authorities in Slovenia’s Pomurje region, near the Lendava border crossing, uncovered a massive illegal cigarette production facility located in an industrial zone. The operation was identified after the Financial Administration (FURS) intercepted a suspicious truck traveling between Lendava and the Petišovci border crossing on October 13, 2026.

The facility, located in an industrial hall in the Trimlini zone, was fully equipped for the production, filtration, and packaging of counterfeit cigarettes from major global brands. The seizure involves counterfeit goods estimated to be worth approximately 30 million euros, described as one of the largest recent seizures of its kind in the European Union.

The investigation has expanded to address human trafficking and modern slavery. The National Investigation Bureau (NPU) and the Specialized State Prosecutor’s Office are conducting a pre-indictment investigation into the organized crime group suspected of recruiting and exploiting workers.

Investigators found at least 20 foreign nationals, allegedly from Paraguay, being held in inhumane conditions. These workers were reportedly forced to work without daylight for at least 25 days, sleeping in the production hall and receiving food only at night. Authorities believe the criminal organization responsible is linked to international networks.

Entities

Paraguay · Slovenian Financial Administration · National Investigation Bureau · Trimlini · Miskolc Police Department

Claims

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

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

Timeline

11 days ago

[CRIME] 9 sources
Slovenia uncovers largest illegal cigarette factory and human trafficking ring
Slovenian police discovered the country's largest illegal cigarette factory near Lendava, uncovering a 30 million euro counterfeit operation and suspected human trafficking of at least 20 foreign workers.
about 1 month ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Illegal tobacco factory and 29 million forint seizure in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén
Hungarian authorities seized 29 million forints worth of illegal tobacco and uncovered a basement manufacturing facility in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county.

Sources

24ur.com · hajdupress.hu · index.hr · mojadijaspora.com · obalaplus.si · radiosarajevo.ba · skopje1.mk · szeged365.hu · telegrafi.com · times.si · trn.mk

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history