Italian police have uncovered an underground tobacco factory and seized 27 tons of cigarettes.

The Italian Financial Police (GdF), together with the European Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), have shut down an illegal tobacco factory that produced 4 million counterfeit cigarettes a day and evaded taxes worth several million euros. This was reported on December 18 by the Reuters news agency.

It is noted that the factory was located 30 km south of Rome and clandestinely produced cigarettes of such brands as Philip Morris, Marlboro, Camel and Winston. According to EPPO representatives, officers seized 27 tons of cigarettes, 19 tons of tobacco, 134 pallets of materials and four trucks with various equipment.

According to the agency, law enforcement officers detained seven people, including citizens of Ukraine and Bulgaria. According to police estimates, the company could produce products worth 700,000 euros per day, or 240 million euros per year, which caused damage in the amount of 160 million euros due to unpaid taxes and excise taxes.

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Earlier, on October 16, the Bild newspaper reported that the European Union (EU) plans to ban filtered cigarettes and electronic tobacco products. It was clarified that the EU is also considering restrictions on the sale of products in stores, gas stations and kiosks. The main goals of the initiative are to prevent addiction, reduce the effects of tobacco smoke on other people, protect the environment and protect these measures from the influence of the tobacco industry.

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