On January 10 and 11, the Republican National Guard, through the Lisbon Financial Action Unit, dismantled an illegal factory for the production and packaging of chewing tobacco and confiscated approximately 26 tons of tobacco in the municipalities of Lisbon and Sintra. The illegal sale of a product with a commercial value of 1.5 million euros would cause damage to the state of approximately 6 million euros.
During Operation Delhi Tobacco, four searches were carried out: two in houses and two in other people’s vehicles, and 26 tons of crushed tobacco and chewing tobacco were seized. Several tobacco grinding and packaging machines were also confiscated; various packaging for storing tobacco of different brands; two light passenger cars; various computer equipment; documentation related to the transportation of tobacco products; a large number of flavorings for mixing with tobacco and 6 thousand euros in cash.
Four men, aged between 21 and 35, were charged with skilled smuggling and skilled introduction for consumption fraud.
“This operation involved seven dozen troops from the Financial Action Unit with reinforcements from the Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF) and in collaboration with security and kinesthetic teams from the Public Security Police (PSP),” a GNR statement can be read.