Two suspects have been remanded in custody in connection with a major illegal cigarette smuggling ring in Greece, while the remaining defendants in the case are scheduled to appear before a prosecutor on Wednesday.

The custody decisions followed the first round of depositions for a group of suspects among the 26 people charged in the case, which police dismantled after a months-long investigation. An investigating judge and a prosecutor ordered the pre-trial detention of two defendants.

Nine other suspects from the same group were released under restrictions, including a ban on leaving the country. Some must also report regularly to a police station, and one was required to post bail.

The rest of the defendants, including two men described as leading figures in the organization, are due to appear before judicial authorities Wednesday. The two alleged ringleaders are brothers, aged 48 and 46, who investigators say directed the criminal group. Authorities believe the network operated for years and maintained international connections.

According to the case file, the group had the capacity to produce nearly 8 million cigarettes per month. The products were allegedly shipped abroad to countries inside and outside the European region, generating profits exceeding 5 million euros per month.

Under the brothers’ direction, the ring allegedly ran well-equipped illegal production units in several areas of the country, along with a network of warehouses and facilities using specialized machinery to manufacture and package cigarettes bearing counterfeit trademarks of tobacco companies.

Depending on their alleged roles, the suspects face felony charges that include directing, forming, or joining a criminal organization, assisting a criminal group, forgery, smuggling, obtaining false certification, and aggravated illegal weapons possession, as well as misdemeanor offenses.