In 2021, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has helped to seize over 430 million illicit cigarettes and stop them entering the EU market, reports eureporter.

In the past year, OLAF took part in several worldwide operations to crack down on the trade of illicit cigarettes and other tobacco products. Altogether, the involvement led to the seizure of 93 million cigarettes smuggled into the EU, and 253 million cigarettes seized outside of its borders, reports eureporter. Furthermore, whilst working with national and international customs and law enforcement agencies, OLAF helped to seize 91 million cigarettes illegally produced within the EU and played an important role in the confiscation of 372 tonnes of raw tobacco meant for the production of illicit cigarettes.
“These seizures have saved EU member states roughly EUR 90 million in lost revenue, and we have helped target the criminal gangs that are behind this illegal business. Smugglers deploy various tricks and schemes (for example declaring at customs almost 10 million illicit cigarettes as suitcases) and they have adapted their business model to the pandemic, and to tougher controls at the EU’s borders. That is why we are so proud to work together with all of our many partners. This is the best way to achieve concrete results,” said OLAF Director General Ville Itälä.
As part of its work, OLAF identifies and tracks lorries and containers that are full of cigarettes declared as other products at the EU borders. According to eureporter, OLAF is in constant real time exchange with EU Member States and third countries meaning national authorities can step in if there is clear evidence that shipments are illegal and headed to the EU contraband market.