EconomyOrganised crime drives illicit cigarette factory boom in ‘almost every EU state’
The European Court of Auditors says illicit tobacco trade has grown sharply, with about one in 10 cigarettes illegally made or smuggled and an estimated €13bn in annual lost tax revenue. Crime groups are moving production inside the EU, where illegal factories have been found in almost every member state. Uneven enforcement and weak information-sharing leave gaps they exploit.
TThe Guardian★★★★☆2026-09-08 15:00Original
Organised crime drives illicit cigarette factory boom in ‘almost every EU state’
Economy