Greek authorities have uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cigarette smuggling operation that had been operating since 2018, producing and exporting illegal tobacco products to European countries and causing the state losses exceeding €7 million.
According to the Hellenic Police (ELAS), the criminal organization operated with strict hierarchical structure, industrial-scale production facilities, warehouses, international transport networks, and counterfeit documents. The network was highly organized, with clear operational roles, secure coordination points, and financial systems designed to evade detection.
During a large-scale operation on January 6, 2026, around 300 officers raided locations in Attica, Central Greece, Euboea, and Magnesia, arresting 26 members, including the two alleged leaders. Investigations continue into additional suspects, including an officer, totaling 28 individuals under scrutiny.
Police detailed that the organization:
- Ran illegal cigarette factories and warehouses equipped with machinery for production, packaging, and thermal processing of tobacco.
- Used fake packaging and brands, often in foreign languages, to distribute products domestically and abroad.
- Employed a network of “strawmen” and coded communication to conceal identities and operational movements.
- Managed finances predominantly in cash, including rental payments, material procurement, and wages, to obscure links to criminal activity.
Authorities also seized 14.4 million cigarettes, 20 tons of processed tobacco, €1.2 million in cash, 42 gold coins, 190 mobile phones, 21 computers and tablets, 17 cars, 10 trucks, firearms, and high-tech surveillance equipment during the raids.
The operation highlighted the organization’s international reach, with shipments to countries like Slovakia and ongoing smuggling attempts despite temporary disruptions in late 2025. ELAS emphasized that the network functioned like a fully integrated illegal business, with leaders controlling resources, logistics, and personnel while ensuring strict secrecy.
The suspects were brought before the judicial authorities, facing charges including organized crime, customs violations, forgery, money laundering, and arms violations, reflecting the complex and multi-layered nature of the criminal enterprise.
